Should I Keep Adding Ammonia?

[TheWaterBoy]

I have added the initial ammonia to get it up to 4ppm. Now the ammonia level has not changed any. I would think I should wait until the ammonia levels began dropping and then just add enough to keep the bacteria alive. Would this be correct? Also I have no source of bacteria from a established tank. The cycle will still continue just at a slower rate right?

 

[njparton]

I have added the initial ammonia to get it up to 4ppm. Now the ammonia level has not changed any. I would think I should wait until the ammonia levels began dropping and then just add enough to keep the bacteria alive. Would this be correct? Also I have no source of bacteria from a established tank. The cycle will still continue just at a slower rate right?

Stop adding ammonia.

Once levels start dropping, add a flake or two of food per day which will decompose and produce ammonia.

Start analysing for nitrite. As soon as the levels of nitrite start rising you know the cycling process has begun. Once nitrite levels start dropping towards zero it will be almost complete. This last stage will take longer, maybe up to 2 weeks.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

I disagree.

For the best results keep adding the same amount that it took to get the ammonia up to 4ppm every day. When the ammonia starts to drop and the nitrites start to rise you can reduce this amount by half. Keep adding this half amount until the very day that the nitrites are 0 , you do a waterchange, and add fish.

If you do it this way your tank will be cycled more quickly and be able to handle a full load of fish.

Using food to decay accomplishes the same thing as the ammonia that you are using, only it will take longer to work, and will add other less desirable elements to the tank besides ammonia.

 

[TheWaterBoy]

What about the fact that I have no bacteria to introduce from a established tank. Is this a must to start the cycle? Will anything happen without it?

 

[gadazobe]

Do as CA says and don't worry about adding any beneficial bacteria - it will be produced from the nitrite which is produced from the ammonia.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Adding the bacteria is highly recommended to speed up the cycle, but it will happen regardless.

You can get filter floss from your local fish store for free (if they are decent) and use it in your own filter - the more you use, the more quickly the tank will cycle.