Help to start - first 30L tank

[FF_Member146894]

Sounds like something I’d be lost with then

not really, you'll be able to tell if it's above 0ppm, but after that, it gets a little difficult to discern between one color and another if they're close. basically, you might read 0.25 when it's actually closer to 0.5. it's not a problem for a beginner trying to cycle a tank.

 

[marklcfc]

So after the first time I add ammonia should ammonia read 3ppm and nitrate also read 3ppm?
Then over time they should decrease?

 

[marklcfc]

DR. TIM'S AQUATICS Ammonium Chloride Solution for Cycling Aquariums, 2-oz bottle - Chewy.com

Buy Dr. Tim's Aquatics Ammonium Chloride Solution for Cycling Aquariums, 2-oz bottle at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!

www.chewy.com

Let me know if you can’t access it

On the long cycle post this is the second option as it says it’s a powder which can be hard to mix…? Apparently ammonium hydroxide is preferred?

 

[FF_Member146894]

So after the first time I add ammonia should ammonia read 3ppm and nitrate also read 3ppm?
Then over time they should decrease?

i'm not going to explain the entire process here, but this forum has a thread on cycling aquariums with charts and guides. you'll usually always have some nitrates in tap water, and i don't think that any liquid tests kit read such low levels as 3ppm. you won't have increased nitrates immediately after adding the ammonia, and having increased nitrates in your tank water doesn't mean that the tank is cycled either, it's only an indicator that the process is going well.
nitrate levels won't decrease by themselves, you need to do water changes to reduce them.

 

[marklcfc]

nitrate levels won't decrease by themselves, you need to do water changes to reduce them.

In the long post it doesn’t suggest a water change until the end when levels are 0

to be honest I’m beginning to get very put off by it all, too much hassle and differing opinions makes it even more confusing

 

[redtailshark34]

I suppose I’m still wondering should the heater be on during the cycle process or off as it isn’t mentioned on that long post on link on post #2. Other than that I suppose I’ll get the ammonia and give it a go but I can see myself going wrong, I didn’t want it to be a stressful fiddly experience

Keep the heater on during cycling process, it will speed it up since the bacteria can multiply faster

 

[redtailshark34]

In the long post it doesn’t suggest a water change until the end when levels are 0

to be honest I’m beginning to get very put off by it all, too much hassle and differing opinions makes it even more confusing

 

[redtailshark34]

View attachment 139046

This is the dr tim’s ammonia chloride cycling that me and my sister follow together. It has worked well for us.

 

[redtailshark34]

API Freshwater Master Test Kit is one of the most reliable freshwater test kits that is very handy, and if you ever need help with reading or matching the colors you can take a picture and post them on here and someone will gladly help

 

[marklcfc]

This is the dr tim’s ammonia chloride cycling that me and my sister follow together. It has worked well for us.

Do you just drop from the bottle then? The long post suggested mixing was involved

 

[redtailshark34]

Do you just drop from the bottle then? The long post suggested mixing was involved

Do you just drop from the bottle then? The long post suggested mixing was involved

Yeah I typically just drop the drops into the water, wait 15 minutes, and test.

 

[marklcfc]

What does this last mean in the long post?

Make sure the tank runs for at least a couple of hours no matter what. You should already know the parameters of your tap water and that they are in a proper range for cycling.

 

[redtailshark34]

What does this last mean in the long post?

Once you get a test kit you should test your tap water for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate to see what those are before cycling.

 

[marklcfc]

Once you get a test kit you should test your tap water for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate to see what those are before cycling.

I’d have no idea what the results meant though.

 

[marklcfc]

When reading other cycle guides like this https://www.aqueon.com/articles/starting-a-new-aquarium-60-days it doesn’t mention adding ammonia myself.
I know the guide on here is the advanced professional way but is it still possible to follow that sort of guide and still get a good end result? I am only adding two fish to start with.