Fishless cycling

[Essjay]

The tank manufacturer says 125 gallon, but take out some of that 125 gallons for the air space between the water surface and the tank rim, and more for the substrate and decor in there. It probably holds 100 gallons water.

The bottle of ammonium chloride says to add 4 drops per gallon. 100 gallons needs 400 drops. The bottle of ammonium chloride says 5 ml (ie one teaspoon) contains 100 drops. So 400 drops are 4 teaspoons. Even 125 gallons only needs 5 teaspoons. If you used a spoon you use to stir your coffee with, that probably wouldn't measure 5 ml. You need a proper measuring spoon.

You've added twice as much as you needed.

I would remove half the water and replace it with dechlorinated tap water.

 

[Tyler777]

The tank manufacturer says 125 gallon, but take out some of that 125 gallons for the air space between the water surface and the tank rim, and more doe the substrate and decor in there. It probably gold 100 gallons water.

The bottle of ammonium chloride says to add 4 drops per gallon. 100 gallons needs 400 drops. The bottle of ammonium chloride says 5 ml (ie one teaspoon) contains 100 drops. So 400 drops are 4 teaspoons. Even 125 gallons only needs 5 teaspoons. If you used a spoon you use to stir your coffee with, that probably wouldn't measure 5 ml. You need a proper measuring spoon.

You've added twice as much as you needed.

I would remove half the water and replace it with dechlorinated tap water.

Sorry for being dumb but dechlorinated water means tap water with water conditioner ?

 

[MaloK]

dechlorinated water means tap water with water conditioner ?

Yes sir....

Sorry for being dumb

There's not such thing as a dumb question. Wanting to be sure is far from dumb.

 

[Tyler777]

Ok i replaced 50% of the water n re filled it with water n conditioner. After 30 minutes the ammonia was between 2.0 ppm and 4.0 ppm hard to see the color right

 

[Essjay]

That's good. Now wait 3 days and test ammonia and nitrite. Tell us the results, please.

 

[Tyler777]

That's good. Now wait 3 days and test ammonia and nitrite. Tell us the results, please.

Ok I will

 

[Tyler777]

Ok I just did an Ammonia n Nitrite test. Ammonia was 4.0 ppm and Nitrites was 2.0 ppm

 

[MaloK]

You're in range, Wait 48 hrs and test again.

 

[Tyler777]

Ok, thank you. I will

 

[Essjay]

In brief, the method on here is this.


Add ammonia.
Test for ammonia and nitrite after 3 days
Test both again after another 3 days
Test both again after another 3 days
Keep on testing every 3 days until you reach a day where ammonia is less than 0.75 AND nitrite is over 2 ppm

Then post on here and ask what to do next.

 

[Tyler777]

I brief, the method on here is this.


Add ammonia.
Test for ammonia and nitrite after 3 days
Test both again after another 3 days
Test both again after another 3 days
Keep on testing every 3 days until you reach a day where ammonia is less than 0.75 AND nitrite is over 2 ppm

Then post on here and ask what to do next.

Ok I will

 

[Tyler777]

Ok I will

Ok the ammonia today is 2.0 ppm and the Nitrites are 2.0 ppm .

Next step ???

 

[Essjay]

Nitrite is 2.0 but ammonia is not below 0.75 ppm so you need to wait. Test again in another 3 days.

 

[Tyler777]

Nitrite is 2.0 but ammonia is not below 0.75 ppm so you need to wait. Test again in another 3 days.

Ok. Thanks

 

[yzaylakeepsfish]

Ok the ammonis test today was 0.50 ppm
And Nitrites was 0.25 ppm

This is good, it's getting less which means the your first cycle is coming to an end. Do you have plants in the tank? Plants will take up ammonia and nitrite, which explains why your nitrite and ammonia levels dropped.