I have been cycling tanks, both saltwater, and freshwater, for more than 20 years, and had never seen this happening.
What do you think is going on?
I started cycling a new freshwater system for Sulawesi shrimps on January 8th. Sulawesi shrimps need a high Kh, high calcium, low TDS (120 - 150) environment, with a pH around 8 and a temperature of 84F. I added enough Dr. Tim's bacteria for 120 gallons, but the truth is that system has approximately 210 gallons. Then I added the recommended dose of ammonium chloride that was supposed to bring ammonia to 2 mg/L. I thought, given the higher temperature that the cycle would happen somewhat fast, so I added the same amount of ammonia two more times skipping a day between each dose. The rationale was based on the description of how to cycle using Dr. Tim's bacteria on Dr. Tim's website. By the way, this system has lava rock and aragonite substrate, uses a Fluval FX6 filter, and a reactor filled with ROX carbon. These are all connected to the sump. Although off for now, it also has a UV sterilizer.
After about 10 days I thought the system was cycled and added a few snails to the aquarium, but quickly noted they were not doing well, so I removed them. At that point, I realized that I needed to start testing. On 1/21 I started testing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Ammonia is tested with a Hanna Instruments test and occasionally confirmed using a Lamotte strip. Nitrite and nitrate have been tested using Lamotte strips.
Here is what I got:
The increases on January 24th and 27th were caused after dosing ammonium chloride. On 1/31 and 2/1 I had an error on the Hanna instrument reader (too high) and that was confirmed by the Lamotte strip. On my last ammonia measurement, I diluted the sample 1:2 with distilled water and then multiplied the result by two.
I am careful with my testing and have experience with analytical assays. Below you can see the equipment and tests I have been using.
What do you think is going on?
I started cycling a new freshwater system for Sulawesi shrimps on January 8th. Sulawesi shrimps need a high Kh, high calcium, low TDS (120 - 150) environment, with a pH around 8 and a temperature of 84F. I added enough Dr. Tim's bacteria for 120 gallons, but the truth is that system has approximately 210 gallons. Then I added the recommended dose of ammonium chloride that was supposed to bring ammonia to 2 mg/L. I thought, given the higher temperature that the cycle would happen somewhat fast, so I added the same amount of ammonia two more times skipping a day between each dose. The rationale was based on the description of how to cycle using Dr. Tim's bacteria on Dr. Tim's website. By the way, this system has lava rock and aragonite substrate, uses a Fluval FX6 filter, and a reactor filled with ROX carbon. These are all connected to the sump. Although off for now, it also has a UV sterilizer.
After about 10 days I thought the system was cycled and added a few snails to the aquarium, but quickly noted they were not doing well, so I removed them. At that point, I realized that I needed to start testing. On 1/21 I started testing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Ammonia is tested with a Hanna Instruments test and occasionally confirmed using a Lamotte strip. Nitrite and nitrate have been tested using Lamotte strips.
Here is what I got:
| 2/2/2022 | 2/1/2022 | 1/31/2022 | 1/30/2022 | 1/28/2022 | 1/27/2022 | 1/27/2022 | 1/26/2022 | 1/25/2022 | 1/24/2022 | 1/23/2022 | 1/21/2022 | ||
| NH4 | 4.12 | >3 | >3 | 1.99 | 1.46 | 1.99 | 0.81 | 1.88 | 2.54 | 2.66 | 0.18 | 1.04 | |
| NO2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 2.5 | 7.5 | >10 | ||||
| NO3 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 37.5 | 25 | 17.5 | 50 | 50 |
The increases on January 24th and 27th were caused after dosing ammonium chloride. On 1/31 and 2/1 I had an error on the Hanna instrument reader (too high) and that was confirmed by the Lamotte strip. On my last ammonia measurement, I diluted the sample 1:2 with distilled water and then multiplied the result by two.
I am careful with my testing and have experience with analytical assays. Below you can see the equipment and tests I have been using.
