Cycling tank help

[rangerchris00]

Ive been cycling my tank for 2 weeks now. I have a 29 gallon tank probably about 25 gallons of saltwater. Im using dr tims ammonia 4 drops per gallon. I add around 100 drops a night and the ammonia drops to 0 the next night. But the nitrites have been at 2.0-4.0ppm each. My question is do I continue to add ammonia or should I stop.

 

[LX20000]

Sound like you have enough bacteria to convert ammonia... no need to add more right now, see if the nitrites are driven to zero in next 24 hours. When I dose ammonia into my new cycling tanks, ammonia goes to zero in about 16 hours, and nitrites go to zero about 12-16 hours later.

 

[texdoc77]

I have never used Dr. Tims, but I have seen many positive reviews. Does it have a very specific routine for how to add it? If so, follow it precisely. For example the Red Sea Reef Mature Pro kit is very specific about how much to add and when to test. If not, I recommend waiting until ammonia and nitrites read 0 respectively. Then add ammonia to 2ppm and test daily. Once the ammonia and nitrites read zero after only 24 hours you have established a good colony of nitrifying bacteria. Also read this.

 

[mcgyvr]

Don't confuse Dr.Tims ammonia with their bacteria in a bottle products..

To the OP... discontinue use of the ammonia and give your tank time to allow nitrites to go to zero... I'd just stop dosing it and wait another 2 weeks and call it cycled and start adding creatures...

 

[thegrun]

I agree, dose ammonia once and only once. The bacteria that you are culturing in your tank can live a year without additional food (ammonia and nitrites) so continuing to add ammonia will only leave you with higher nitrates at the end of the cycle and can actually slow down or even stall your cycle.

 

[LX20000]

I agree, dose ammonia once and only once. The bacteria that you are culturing in your tank can live a year without additional food (ammonia and nitrites) so continuing to add ammonia will only leave you with higher nitrates at the end of the cycle and can actually slow down or even stall your cycle.

Humm... didn't know it could live that long! Does most of it survive or is there typically a 70% die off (or some such number).

 

[rangerchris00]

So i waited 12 hours and I just did a water test this morning and my ammonia is 0.25ppm, nitrites are 0 but my nitrates are 80ppm. So I should stop adding ammonia and let it be. But probably do a water change to lower my nitrates. Is that correct

 

[mcgyvr]

yes... stop adding ammonia..
You have already added too much for the most part..
Throw the bottle in the trash..

You are going to need to do more water changes because of that to get those nitrates back down.. And yes you can do them now and basically over the next 2 weeks..
Then the tank is surely ready to go (slowly)

 

[WatDatThing]

When I cycled my tank, all I did was add a big old market shrimp into the tank and wait for it to completely disappeared. It took 4-5 weeks, but that seem normal for tank cycling anyway.

 

[mcgyvr]

When I cycled my tank, all I did was add a big old market shrimp into the tank and wait for it to completely disappeared. It took 4-5 weeks, but that seem normal for tank cycling anyway.

I just stand over it and pee into it.. Then come back in 4 weeks.. :worried:

 

[LX20000]

80 ppm nitrates !! Wow... I guess you have been adding a lot of ammonia.

 

[gltoland]

Smaller tanks take forever. Just give it time and leave it alone.

 

[rangerchris00]

So I'll do some water changes. Will my tank be technically cycled once I get the nitrates to a good level.

 

[WatDatThing]

I just stand over it and pee into it.. Then come back in 4 weeks.. :worried:

and your koi live happily ever after.

 

[mcgyvr]

So I'll do some water changes. Will my tank be technically cycled once I get the nitrates to a good level.

I would perform water changes over the next 2 weeks to get that down..After that time the tank will more than likely be cycled..

After that 2 weeks I would test again and assuming ammonia and nitrites are both zero then you are safe..

 

[rangerchris00]

How often should I do a water change

 

[gone fishin]

With 80ppm of nitrates I would be inclined to do about a 20g water change and see where that gets you.

 

[rangerchris00]

So ill do a some water changes and i shouldn't add anymore ammonia after the water changes correct