My Current Stats On My Fish-less Cycle

[rgrrmg]

My current levels: Day 21, 12 gallon tank
Ammonia: 0.0
PH: 6.4 ( So I panic and do a 90% wc, as my tap water is PH7.5)
Then I made my biggest mistake, I thought by now I could remove the mature filter media)
Just have my filter media that was under it and the bio-wheel now.

Day 21: readings after water change:
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0.25
PH: 7.4
Nitrate: 10

Another mistake, added 3ml of ammonia( should of waited till it was 0.0)

Day 22:
Ammonia: 0.0
Nitrite: 0.0
PH: 7.5
Nitrate: 10
Added another dose of ammonia 3ml (now I really wasn’t thinking, just panicking)

Day 22: 12 hrs.
Ammonia: ~2.0 – 4.0
Nitrite: did not test
PH: did not test
Nitrate: did not test

Day 23:
Ammonia: 1.0
Nitrite: did not test
PH: did not test
Nitrate: did not test

Day 23 12 hrs.:
Ammonia: 1.0
Nitrite: 0.25
PH: did not test
Nitrate: did not test

Day 24:
Ammonia: 0.0
Nitrite: 0.0
PH: 7.5
Nitrate: 10
Added 3ml of ammonia

Day 25:
Ammonia: 1.0
Nitrite: 0.25
PH: 7.4
Nitrate: 40

Day 25, 12 hrs.
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0.25
PH: 7.6
Nitrate: ~40-80

Day 26:
Ammonia: 0.0
Nitrite: 0.0
PH: 7.6
Nitrate: ~40-80
Added a dose of 3ml ammonia

Day 27: (Today)
Ammonia: 1.0
Nitrite: did not test
PH: 7.6
Nitrate: did not test
I did not run those tests because I saw the ammonia was not going to 0.0 after 24 hours.
I have apparently taken a few steps back in my cycle by removing the mature filter media too soon.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Even when the cycled has finished, you should still keep the mature filter media in your filter.

But, it looks like it is slowly catching up.

-FHM

 

[rgrrmg]

Even when the cycled has finished, you should still keep the mature filter media in your filter.

But, it looks like it is slowly catching up.

-FHM

My bad, Hopefully someone else will read this and not make the same mistake.

Thanks

 

[rgrrmg]

Here is the latest on my fish-less cycle: 12 gal. tank

Day 40:
Ammonia:0
Nitrite:2
PH:6.8
Nitrate:80
Added Baking soda PH=7.9
Added dose of 3.25ml ammonia.

Day 40 12 Hrs.:
Ammonia:0
Nitrite:2.0
PH:7.8
Nitrate: did not test

Day 41 24 hrs.:
Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0.5
PH:7.8
Nitrate:80.0

I will try to update in a few days, going away Thurs. will return Sat.- My lady friend will be adding ammonia every 24 Hrs....

 

[drobbyb]

Looks like you are very close to finishing your cycle. Once both ammonia and nitrite fall to 0 within 12 hours you are ready for your qualifying week. A qualifying week is where you still add your daily amount of ammonia for a week to make sure that your readings drop to 0 within 12 hours. After that you should be good to stock your tank.

 

[rgrrmg]

Looks like you are very close to finishing your cycle. Once both ammonia and nitrite fall to 0 within 12 hours you are ready for your qualifying week. A qualifying week is where you still add your daily amount of ammonia for a week to make sure that your readings drop to 0 within 12 hours. After that you should be good to stock your tank.

Thanks for the Info.
Any one with suggestions on what kind of fish and how many would be greatly appreciated (12g, tropical community tank)