Whoa- Ammonia Spike In The Bucket!

[tttnjfttt]

Yup, should be. Don't add any more ammonia until you begin seeing nitrites

 

[Kairi]

i haven't actually put it in the tank yet still just in the bucket. the method i was going to use says "add enough ammonia to raise the level to 5 or 6ppm. the next day and each day thereafter add the same amount. this continues until the ammonia drops to zero (with daily testings). it'll take about 3 days before the bacteria will form. once the ammonia drops to zero, use only 1/2 the amount of ammonia you've been adding and test for nitrites. once that drops to zero do a big water change and you can add the fish."

i read this is better if you're going to add fish like plecos, oscars or goldfish.

 

[tttnjfttt]

i haven't actually put it in the tank yet still just in the bucket. the method i was going to use says "add enough ammonia to raise the level to 5 or 6ppm. the next day and each day thereafter add the same amount. this continues until the ammonia drops to zero (with daily testings). it'll take about 3 days before the bacteria will form. once the ammonia drops to zero, use only 1/2 the amount of ammonia you've been adding and test for nitrites. once that drops to zero do a big water change and you can add the fish."

i read this is better if you're going to add fish like plecos, oscars or goldfish.

My theory on that is you can get ammonia up to 12 ppm that way until the bacteria begin to form.

 

[Kairi]

that would be approx 3 days then if my ammonia will sit around 4ppm. sounds right?

 

[tttnjfttt]

yup, just check it daily. you could go up to 6.0 if u want

 

[Kairi]

that might require one half a drop... *shrugs* i'm going to the lfs tonight to check out tank decorations and see what they have .... i'll play with the bucket levels again tomorrow. at least i know it's *a* drop- not a teaspoon

 

[csjasona]

You can go over 6ppm, but if you do, then it will just take a lot longer to cycle down to 0. Unless you are going to massively over-stock your new tank, then a max of 6ppm is the ideal limit. If you put more than that in the tank, then it will stink out your home, too!

 

[Kairi]

i'm not planning on overstocking. the pleco is a poop machine though!

 

[csjasona]

The 6ppm max will be fine, in that case.