Ammonia Readings

[arkmann]

I am more than ready to introduce some fish. I am thinking of doing a 100% water change on monday and then indtroducing some hardy fish before I get my fish of choice by next weekend.

Do you suggest to continue the cycling or should I just change all the water and introduce maybe some feeder fish before I ad some dats or something?

 

[johnptc]

Given sufficient space and conditions the bacteria population will grow at a near exponential rate untill the food/space is used up, I'd keep a source of ammonia in the tank (small dead fish/shrimp ect) to keep the BB fed until you are ready to introduce your fish.

geometric rate 1...2...4..8..16..32

 

[johnptc]

Here are my new tank levels after 2 weeks of fishless cycling.

pH = 7.6
Alk = 1.0
Temp = 75F
Ammonia = 2.5
NO2 = >1
NO3 = 250

As you can see, the bactaeria did not disapoint. I started with probably 13ppm ammonia reading and now its down to 2.5. I am now wondering as to how long should I extend my cycling period if I should extend it at all?

I am thinking of cycling it for one more week. I am thinking of adding more ammonia to it and then just sit it out until ammonia and nitrite readings become zero.

What are your suggestions? Should I just wait unitl ammonia and nitrite readings are zero? I'm assuming that the ammonia readings will be zero in two days if not by tomorrow. It jumped from 10ppm to 2.5ppm in 3 days! That was quick.

wait until ammonia goes to 0....

if nitrite is then zero you are there....

if ammionia is 0 but nitrite is not zero... feed a little ammonia until nitrites fall to zero and you are then ready for a water change to get rid of the nitrates.....

 

[arkmann]

^Thank you for the valuable advice, I appreciate it.

 

[arkmann]

wait until ammonia goes to 0....

if nitrite is then zero you are there....

if ammionia is 0 but nitrite is not zero... feed a little ammonia until nitrites fall to zero and you are then ready for a water change to get rid of the nitrates.....

What percentage of a water change do you suggest after cycling before I introduce fish? Should I go ahead with my fish of choice or let hardy fish spend a couple of days maybe more in it?

 

[johnptc]

What percentage of a water change do you suggest after cycling before I introduce fish? Should I go ahead with my fish of choice or let hardy fish spend a couple of days maybe more in it?

i might do water changes for a couple of days......until the nitrates are below 25ppm

 

[arkmann]

How does 100% water change sound? At least after the ammonia and nitrite are 0ppm

Besides, I also have to move the tank 180% because I painted its currently fron side blac.

 

[arkmann]

Ammonia readings are now 0.25ppm and nitrite and nitrate is still off the charts. I'll just sit it out until ammonia and nitrite is zero, drain almost 100% of the water, turn the tank 180 degrees, add de-chlorinated water and add fish

 

[johnptc]

Ammonia readings are now 0.25ppm and nitrite and nitrate is still off the charts. I'll just sit it out until ammonia and nitrite is zero, drain almost 100% of the water, turn the tank 180 degrees, add de-chlorinated water and add fish

sounds great... it takes awhile now.... be patient

 

[arkmann]

Thank you sir