Yes, as nitrate reading are inaccurate when nitrite is present. I don’t even test nitrate until nitrite has tested at 0 for two days in a row.
It would be interesting to see if this repeat dosing is beneficial. For example, after the first dose gets consumed in 24hrs, would a second dose get consumed in say 12 hrs, then 6 hrs, and so on. Not seen any data on that as far as I can recall. Saying that, 2ppm ammonia is already quite a lot, normally.
What I can say, and it is purely anecdotal as to that one experience, as I had always done fish in cycles with supplements like prime and Stability. Larger tanks with on to two smaller fish so no huge ammonia swings. I was able to add the three larger 5-6” angels and did not have a significant ammonia issue. I use seachem alert badges as an early indicator so if they change colors even a little I would know to test. Just my personal opinion, but I would assume a continued ammonia supply would mimic the addition of fish, thus feeding the bacteria so they can multiply. Similar to adding fish one at a time and allowing the tank to stabilize as the bacteria grow and increase in quantity to convert the waste from the additional output of the new fish.
I dosed 2ppm of ammonia yesterday, and I’m testing again. If it’s at 0 should I say my tank is cycled?
I used API They are a Little high I checked with Mr. Farley and he concurs. I like Salifert simply because the syringe is better. They have flat rubber and you are not making mistakes by misreading the meniscus on the API ones. Yes you are expecting too much too soon. The readings make no sense at all to me. Mine took 2-3 months. I have offered this before. I can post the entire process from an unknown author. The crux is 5 ppm ammonia disappears in 24 hours. Then your doneHi, I’ve recently started to cycle my tank with Fritz Turbo Start 900, and Dr. Tim’s ammonium chloride. My tank is 20 gallons, and I’m pretty sure I dosed correctly. On the first day, I poured in a 1oz of the Fritz, and enough of the ammonium chloride (80 drops). On the second day I tested, and dosed 64 drops of the ammonium chloride. I just tested today (3rd day) and ammonia is testing 0.25-0ppm, and nitrites are at 0.
I know API isn’t the best, but I think it should still be detecting some ammonia or nitrite? Is my cycle done? Should I dose some more ammonium chloride?
PS.. I tested twice and the results were the same both times
Yes. If it converts it in one day I would say that it is safe to add a pair of clowns.
It was between 0.25ppm and 0ppm, this is still safe right?
I would say yes as a color tending test isn’t going to be 100% accurate. Two clowns are not going to produce 2.0 ppm per day. If at all concerned have a bottle of stability from SeaChem or the equivalent from Dr. Tim’s. And dose that daily. I like to have the Seachem ammonia badge on a new tank as a safety back up for the first couple of weeks. If it starts to change to green dose some bottles bacteria, and or a product like prime that neutralizes the ammonia.
Just to be sure, I’m dosing anything 2ppm of ammonia, and will test tomorrow. And if it reads 0.25ppm or lower, also.what percentage water change should I do? And should I wait a bit before my fish arrive, or should I do it right away?
My nitrites also never went up? Or at least the test never detected any. Is this okay?
Not really. If the ammonia is being broken down, then they form nitrites and another bacteria developed that converts nitrites to nitrates. The only way they can be at 0 is if you have a tremendous amount of senitrifying bacteria, but that grows in anaerobic areas and takes a very long time to establish if ever. You might want to take a sample to your LFS and ask them to test it for you.
