55 Gallon Tank Started Cycling Today :)

[redtailshark34]

I also have some moss balls that I picked up that I would like to add, however I don’t know if I should wait until or after cycling.

 

[redtailshark34]

@Essjay should i raise ammonia again or leave it?

 

[Essjay]

Not yet. Wait till you have zero ammonia, then zero ammonia again 2 days later. Then add enough ammonia to get 1 ppm.

With plants in the tank, you may find that ammonia drops quickly as the plants become established and take it up. But they won't turn it into nitrite. You'll probably get some nitrite as the ammonia eating bacteria remove some of the ammonia but not as much nitrite as you'd get in an unplanted tank.
You won't get as much nitrate as an unplanted tank either.

 

[redtailshark34]

Not yet. Wait till you have zero ammonia, then zero ammonia again 2 days later. Then add enough ammonia to get 1 ppm.

With plants in the tank, you may find that ammonia drops quickly as the plants become established and take it up. But they won't turn it into nitrite. You'll probably get some nitrite as the ammonia eating bacteria remove some of the ammonia but not as much nitrite as you'd get in an unplanted tank.
You won't get as much nitrate as an unplanted tank either.

Okay thank you! I will be sure to follow this.

 

[redtailshark34]

Today’s Test Results:
ammonia- 0.25ppm
nitrite- 2ppm
nitrate- 10ppm
pH- 7.6

 

[Essjay]

It's getting there, just slowly.

Test again in 2 days and see what the readings are then.

 

[redtailshark34]

Today’s results:
ammonia: 0ppm
nitrate: 0ppm
nitrite: 0.25ppm
pH: 7.4

 

[Essjay]

Now add 3 ppm ammonia and test tomorrow. If both are zero again, the cycle is finished.

 

[NannaLou]

Now add 3 ppm ammonia and test tomorrow. If both are zero again, the cycle is finished.

I can’t cope with the suspense ?

 

[redtailshark34]

I can’t cope with the suspense ?

Neither can I, I hope it’s ready but if not I’m ready to still be patient.

No matter how hard that is ?

 

[redtailshark34]

Now add 3 ppm ammonia and test tomorrow. If both are zero again, the cycle is finished.

I’ve added it in once more, excited to test tomorrow

 

[Slaphppy7]

Now add 3 ppm ammonia and test tomorrow. If both are zero again, the cycle is finished.

Too lazy to go back and look, but what ammonia dosage did the OP originally start with?

 

[redtailshark34]

Too lazy to go back and look, but what ammonia dosage did the OP originally start with?

3ppm was the original dosage

 

[Slaphppy7]

3ppm was the original dosage

 

[redtailshark34]

Ammonia has reached 0! I tested today a lot earlier and it was 0 but my internet was being a little funky