What PPM for Tetra Safe Start?

[mrsjoannh13]

Hello, fish friends.... total noob here (please be gentle)....

I am cycling a 10 gallon non-planted, fishless tank. I don't have any seed material - I've tried but no luck. I'm trying to speed up the process a bit as I'm giving the tank to my daughter for her birthday in a couple of weeks. I've already had the tank for 3 weeks and not seeing any changes in readings even with the addition of (Fritz) ammonium chloride. I've dosed to 4 ppm and nothing is happening (no reduction in ammonia, no appearance of nitrites, etc.).

Overall the rest of the parameters look good (I think?). I have a HOB filter and a heater keeping it at 80 - 81 degrees. I also have an air pump for one of the decorations that I keep going during the day.

Nitrate 0
Nitrate 0
Hardness 0
Chlorine 0
Alkalinity 120 - 180
pH 7.8
ammonia holding steady at 4

I was going to get a bottle of Tetra Safe Start to see if it could cut some time off the cycle. My question is - is my ammonia level too high for Safe Start or is this a good level? Should I do a partial water change to get it down lower before adding Safe Start?

Any other tips (aside from be patient -LOL). Thank you!

 

[Jamesthecat]

You need to get the ammonia down to below 2.5 . Anything above is harmful to the bacteria your trying to cultivate

 

[Essjay]

As mentioned in the other thread, 3 ppm is recommended for ammonia in fishless cycling. And Dr Tim's One & Only Nitrifying Bacteria is a good alternative to Safe Start.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

As mentioned in the other thread, 3 ppm is recommended for ammonia in fishless cycling. And Dr Tim's One & Only Nitrifying Bacteria is a good alternative to Safe Start.

Thanks, essjay. I did already try a bottle of Dr. Tim's and have not seen any results yet (it has been about a week).

I just did a partial water change and will test ammonia to see if I got it down from 4 to 3 and will then add the Safe Start and hopefully see results! I bought 2 bottles with 2 different expiration dates. I'll try anything to get this tank cycled for Hailey's birthday, LOL!

 

[kwi]

Ignore the dosing rates on the safe start and just throw it all into the tank, you cannot overdose with bacteria and if you have 3ppm ammonia there is plenty of food for it.