cameron_atkinson

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 25, 2024
Messages
40
Reaction score
16
Location
428 Ridgewood Ave
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi,
I’m cycling my fish tank and I used Dr Tims one and only on Monday, i unfortunately fell ill and did not have access to my tank until today so there was no ammonium chloride being added to it. How do I go about cycling it now? Can I still start the cycle by adding the ammonium chloride? Thank you
 

ScottJ

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
998
Reaction score
2,125
Location
Rochester Ny
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You can add the recommended number of drops of ammonium chloride now. Are you using a test kit? You want to dose ammonia to 2ppm. Don't overdose.

For your best chances for success, go slow and research. Don't rush things. You are not going to have the Great Barrier Reef in a glass box overnight. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
 

DED65

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 21, 2016
Messages
795
Reaction score
1,074
Location
Sparks, Nevada
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Keep doing what you are doing, it will get there. Take care of yourself first!
 
OP
OP
C

cameron_atkinson

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 25, 2024
Messages
40
Reaction score
16
Location
428 Ridgewood Ave
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You can add the recommended number of drops of ammonium chloride now. Are you using a test kit? You want to dose ammonia to 2ppm. Don't overdose.

For your best chances for success, go slow and research. Don't rush things. You are not going to have the Great Barrier Reef in a glass box overnight. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
IMG_5216.jpeg


I tested my ammonium and this was it
 

ScottJ

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
998
Reaction score
2,125
Location
Rochester Ny
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yup, just give it a little time. Try to get yourself a decent nitrate fest kit. I like Salifert, but like Red Sea or even a Hanna Checker. Don't rely on API if you can help it. Check for Nitrates in a few days.

Got a picture of your tank?

There is a LOT of info on the forum about cycling a tank. Just search 'cycling' and you will have more than you can read! But it basically boils down to; saltwater flowing around rocks + some bottled bac + some bac food (ammonia) + time (about 10 days) = ready for life.
 

Garf

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 23, 2020
Messages
5,751
Reaction score
6,706
Location
BEEFINGHAM
Rating - 0%
0   0   0

ScottJ

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
998
Reaction score
2,125
Location
Rochester Ny
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
OP
OP
C

cameron_atkinson

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 25, 2024
Messages
40
Reaction score
16
Location
428 Ridgewood Ave
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thought I would update you, I’ve added ammonium chloride, 20 drops for my 5 gallon tank, for the past 3 days and the ammonium is still very high and not changing. Thoughts?
 

Garf

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 23, 2020
Messages
5,751
Reaction score
6,706
Location
BEEFINGHAM
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thought I would update you, I’ve added ammonium chloride, 20 drops for my 5 gallon tank, for the past 3 days and the ammonium is still very high and not changing. Thoughts?
It can take a while to show any reduction, you are at day 3. I think the link I posted previously by @taricha had Dr Tim's start processing at day 8, without looking. It could be faster or slower than that though.
 

Olefreebe

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 19, 2020
Messages
554
Reaction score
2,258
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I think you're on track. The waiting game is the hardest game to play though. Good luck!
 

ScottJ

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
998
Reaction score
2,125
Location
Rochester Ny
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thought I would update you, I’ve added ammonium chloride, 20 drops for my 5 gallon tank, for the past 3 days and the ammonium is still very high and not changing. Thoughts?
Could you clarify? You added 20 drops 3 days ago, or 20 drops each day for the past 3 days.

If 3 days ago, that's good. Like Garf and Freebe said, it takes a while.

If each day, don't add any more. You only need to add ammonia once to get things going.
 

taricha

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
May 22, 2016
Messages
6,970
Reaction score
10,747
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It can take a while to show any reduction, you are at day 3.
right. In my tests, One and Only ( a couple of different bottles) showed ammonia processing in the 12-20 day ballpark. Could be faster under other conditions, but 3 or even 10 days is nothing to worry about.
 
OP
OP
C

cameron_atkinson

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 25, 2024
Messages
40
Reaction score
16
Location
428 Ridgewood Ave
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Could you clarify? You added 20 drops 3 days ago, or 20 drops each day for the past 3 days.

If 3 days ago, that's good. Like Garf and Freebe said, it takes a while.

If each day, don't add any more. You only need to add ammonia once to get things going.
I’ve been adding 20 each day only because on the website it said “ If the ammonia or nitrite values are over 5 ppm NH3-N skip the next addition of ammonia drops.”
 

Uncle99

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 22, 2018
Messages
10,506
Reaction score
15,974
Location
Province of Ontario
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
So 2 weeks ago you added rock, sand, saltwater, heat, flow and bottle bacteria. If that’s correct, you are cycled and ready for for a couple fish.
 

HAVE YOU EVER KEPT A RARE/UNCOMMON FISH, CORAL, OR INVERT? SHOW IT OFF IN THE THREAD!

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
Back
Top