Wierd question

Voorhee · Sep 15, 2004

how fast does the ammonia get eaten...

cause i get a reading of zero after 24hours..

but when i add ammonia i can test it right away and notice it... doesn't that mean a fishies waste will become toxic enough to kill it?

Nekukurai · Sep 15, 2004

You need to tell us how big the tank is, how much ammonia you put in, how long the tank has been running, are there any fish in it, etc, before we can help

luxum · Sep 15, 2004

how fast does the ammonia get eaten...

cause i get a reading of zero after 24hours..

but when i add ammonia i can test it right away and notice it... doesn't that mean a fishies waste will become toxic enough to kill it?

That's a good thing! It means your colony can metabolize the ammonia quickly. Remember, you are adding more ammonia everyday than you would expect a full load of fish to produce, and they will produce it gradually rather than all at once like when you dose. So no, when you put fish in, the levels shouldn't rise to even be readable, as the colony will convert it as fast as it is produced.

canarsie11 · Sep 15, 2004

But we need some more info

luxum · Sep 15, 2004

The info has been posted in previous threads. Voorhee is almost done with a fishless cycle of the tank.

Voorhee · Sep 15, 2004

ok just so everyone know what im talking about!!

75gal (48x18)
2 1/2" sand/gravel substrate
160watts of light (2xAquaglo-2xphillipsdaylighters 6500k)
250watt jager heater
Fluval 404 with surface skimmer
10-12# driftwood (1 big piece one medium peice)
2 dozen plants.. (Anubias,Java moss,Crypts,Dwarf Sag)
couple of inert river rocks
lighting period 11am-10pm
No Co2 additives or fertilizer

All built into wall!!

adding 3ppm ammonia everyday.. seems like i need to add more droppers worth everyday to reach 3ppm..
Nitrites spike and are starting to decline.
Nitrates are at 40ppm used to be 110 lol.. (no water changes either)

hope that helps!!

luxum · Sep 15, 2004

You shouldn't be dosing to 3ppm at this time anyway, you should be adding less, or the nitrite converting bacteria won't be able to catch up. However much you added yesterday, use that for your dose until the cycle completes it's establishment, and that should happen real soon now.