How long for Ammonia cycle?

raptor72

raptor72

Member
My 11 gal. QT has been cycling for 3 weeks now and the ammonia reading doesn't seem to fluctuate any (1.0 ppm). I had started the cycle with a raw shrimp and took it out. I placed two very small LR's from my DT in there. My 125 gal. DT never went through the cycle process so I don't know how long it should take. Any thoughts.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
It can last as long as 6-8 weeks.
If your ammonia still hasn't started to drop by next week, I'd start doing water changes. I absolutely believe in doing water changes during the cycling process, especially if you had cured live rock in there.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
How do you know your water changes have not just diluted your ammonia? Giving you a false sense of nitrifying bacteria established. Live rock does not guarantee that you have nitrifying bacteria colonies established
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptor72 http:///forum/thread/385849/how-long-for-ammonia-cycle#post_3385923
My 11 gal. QT has been cycling for 3 weeks now and the ammonia reading doesn't seem to fluctuate any (1.0 ppm). I had started the cycle with a raw shrimp and took it out. I placed two very small LR's from my DT in there. My 125 gal. DT never went through the cycle process so I don't know how long it should take. Any thoughts.
This is a good example why you should always test all three of the waste parameters; ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. With only one or two numbers you can not determine if the test reading is wrong or where in the cycle you are...
So if Raptor72 you have been testing these post them so we can compare them.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
IMO in the initial cycling stage a daily test of ammonia and nitrites is critical. Nitrates mean nothing at this stage.
During th initial cycling of the tank IMO water changes are not necessary unless you are doing a soft cycle to help maintain life that has come in on your basically uncured rock. (uncured rock to me is any life rock that has been shipped, I don't care that you spent extra money to get "CURED" rock, there has been die off in packaging, shipping, unpacking and adding to your tank which itself has different parameters that where the rock has been multiple times and will cause some dieoff.)
 
raptor72

raptor72

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///forum/thread/385849/how-long-for-ammonia-cycle#post_3386226
Ok, why are you getting an ammonia reading after three weeks with nitrate and nitrite reading 0? Did the numbers go up and then come back down in the past three weeks?
I would think you are reading a false positive for ammonia because ammonia is the first to clear in the cycle.
I'm not sure what you're asking here. I started the cycle process with a piece of raw shrimp and took it out after a week when I couldn't stand the smell in the room anymore. I was informed that this would be enough to start the cycle. I haven't measured for nitrates and nitrite before because I know the cycle starts with ammonia.
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
Ok just keep tracking the three numbers daily so you can to see any changes as they happen. Normal is bang ammonia then it starts to come down you read nitrite as it goes up then you read nitrate. As the cycle comes to the end ammonia goes to zero, nitrite starts to fall, and then nitrate comes down. This can happen in two weeks or it can take two months.
What test kits are you using? and are you using a water conditioner?
 
raptor72

raptor72

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///forum/thread/385849/how-long-for-ammonia-cycle#post_3386265
Ok just keep tracking the three numbers daily so you can to see any changes as they happen. Normal is bang ammonia then it starts to come down you read nitrite as it goes up then you read nitrate. As the cycle comes to the end ammonia goes to zero, nitrite starts to fall, and then nitrate comes down. This can happen in two weeks or it can take two months.
What test kits are you using? and are you using a water conditioner?
API Test kit.
I haven't used a water conditioner. I was wondering if I needed to add something else to my QT.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptor72
API Test kit.
I haven't used a water conditioner. I was wondering if I needed to add something else to my QT.
stupid ? here but what type of filtration are you using on the 11g? IMO you may need some water mvmnt to allow gas exchange. I wouldn't use a conditioner if there is no live stock in the tank.
I have a 20 long and needed to add a nano powerhead to get more water movement. None-the-less, it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks for a complete cycle. Be patient and let it go naturally with out the help of conditioners (if no live stock of coarse)
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Quote:
I started the cycle process with a piece of raw shrimp and took it out after a week when I couldn't stand the smell in the room anymore.
 
raptor72

raptor72

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///forum/thread/385849/how-long-for-ammonia-cycle#post_3386303
stupid ? here but what type of filtration are you using on the 11g? IMO you may need some water mvmnt to allow gas exchange. I wouldn't use a conditioner if there is no live stock in the tank.
I have a 20 long and needed to add a nano powerhead to get more water movement. None-the-less, it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks for a complete cycle. Be patient and let it go naturally with out the help of conditioners (if no live stock of coarse)
I have a Rio nano skimmer on it.
I'm trying to be patient. I just wanted to get a timeframe on this more or less to make sure I was on course.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
At this time Raptor, is the most rediculous time. You plan on what you want and what kind of fish you desire, done all the research, and now.... the waiting game hahahaaaa..... keep checking the parameters twice a week and it will come down before you know it. PROMISE.
 
1guydude

1guydude

Well-Known Member
Hows that rio mini skimmer....i was thinkin of getting one for my nano but it didnt have good reviews...wats ur opinion?
 
raptor72

raptor72

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1guyDude http:///forum/thread/385849/how-long-for-ammonia-cycle#post_3386514
Hows that rio mini skimmer....i was thinkin of getting one for my nano but it didnt have good reviews...wats ur opinion?
It's too early to tell as far as the skimmer portion since there is no bio load to be collected yet. The section that returns the water to the tank is a little noisy IMO. There is an adjustable "gate" that can be lowered or raised to adjust the water flow, but I don't think it changes the trickling noise too much. I keep it in a spare room so it's no problem. One thing I thought was kind of cheesy on the filter was that the filter cartridge has no specific slot to slide into the filter. It just gets placed diagonally in a square chamber. Also the cartridges are one time use and can't be refilled with carbon. Just to make sure you keep buying their product.
I'm not too bothered with waiting for the QT to cycle, if anything it's good because it gives my DT more time to mature. I was having issues with fish mysteriously disappearing when I first set it up. I never figured out where they went, but hopefully by the time the QT is cycled I'll have figured it out.
 
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