I Never Thought This Day Would Come!

[Autonerd]

...but it has! 4 ppm ammonia to 0 nitrites in 12 hours!

I've just dosed back up to 4 ppm to make sure this isn't a one-time thing, but from the rate at which everything's been dropping, I think my tank just might be cycled!

So my next step is a 90% water change, which should get my pH and temperatures right... and then fish! My question is, how to handle ammonia on fish day? I usually add ammonia in the morning and evening, but will probably get fish mid-day. Don't want to add ammonia that morning for obvious reasons... will my bacteria make it for a half-day without ammonia?

Thanks everyone for your continued help -- without you all I'd have a long line of dead fish!
Aaron

 

[Tolak]

Without a food source your nitrifying bacteria will die back 10%-12% every 24 hours. They'll be fine for half a day.

 

[Xraymark]

 

[Aqua Tom]

Hey Autonerd, the good news that you are processing 4ppm Ammonia in 12 hours. The bad news is that by reading your post I dont think you are cycled.

Unfortunately you dont mention Nitrites. This is important. Once you are convinced the filter is using 4ppm ammonia in 12 hours its time to cut the dose in half to 2ppm. This will still feed the A-bacs whilst encoraging the growth of N-Bacs (N-bacs feed on the waste produced by A-bacs).

When the filter is using the ammonia & retated nitrites in 12 hours it is time to up the dose again to 4ppm then begin your qualifying week. When the filter can use 4ppm ammonia & related Nitrites in 12 hours for 5-7 days running then you are cycled.


Sorry if you have already done this but I just wanted to make sure you are not jumping the gun.


Tom

 

[Autonerd]

Hey Autonerd, the good news that you are processing 4ppm Ammonia in 12 hours... When the filter can use 4ppm ammonia & related Nitrites in 12 hours for 5-7 days running then you are cycled.

My nitrates are indeed going to 0 in 12 hours. (Ammonia has been dropping to 0 in 12 for a while now.) I'm roughly 4 weeks into the cycle, btw.

And I will probably wait a few days -- I have a 3-day business trip coming up next week and don't want to leave newly-arrived fish!

Sorry if you have already done this but I just wanted to make sure you are not jumping the gun.

No worries, Tom, I don't want to kill off my fish, so better to err on the side of caution.

My plan was to add 4 ppm every 24 hours and have my wife do the same when I'm away.

Aaron