Dying with Cycling here!

MetalRavioli

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 13, 2022
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azariah.wikidot.com
Hey y’all!

im having some trouble with my cycling here. I was doing great, ammonia was going from 2 to 0 within 2 days. However, I was over 100 nitrates, so I decided to do a water change, and for some reason thought it would be a good idea to add more ammonia than I usually do. Now (even after using lots of fritz live and fritz 7) I’ve been stuck here for at least a week. What do I do?35DEBCEF-1BE3-4463-83A8-0A170E9C4F02.jpeg
 

Rocksor

Blue Tier VIP
MFK Member
Nov 28, 2011
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Water change again. If I remember this correctly, nitrifying bacteria experiences die-off when ammonia exceeds 2.0ppm
"...excess TOXIC ammonia of 0.7ppm will slow down nitrite oxidizing bacteria consumption by 50%..." (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15927463/ )

However, one must remember that the API test kit will test TOTAL ammonia (toxic ammonia+non-toxic ammonium). To determine toxic ammonia levels, use this calculator:
https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php

set salinity to 0 for freshwater, the NH3 calculation is the toxic ammonia
 
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MetalRavioli

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 13, 2022
218
321
77
Massachusetts
azariah.wikidot.com
"...excess TOXIC ammonia of 0.7ppm will slow down nitrite oxidizing bacteria consumption by 50%..." (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15927463/ )

However, one must remember that the API test kit will test TOTAL ammonia (toxic ammonia+non-toxic ammonium). To determine toxic ammonia levels, use this calculator:
https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php

set salinity to 0 for freshwater, the NH3 calculation is the toxic ammonia
Definitely will do another water change, and dose less ammonia
 

Rocksor

Blue Tier VIP
MFK Member
Nov 28, 2011
6,129
6,673
423
San Diego
After it goes away within 24 hours, how long till I know its cycled?
If you can do it several times, it is cycled, but you keep feeding ammonia (at least every other day) until the day you are ready to put fish. Then no ammonia that day, just a large water change to reduce the nitrates below 10ppm.
 
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