Dropping ammonia with fishless cycle?????

Question

I have been doing my fishless cycle for a week now and there is no ammonia drop! I added the ammonia to 5ppm and it is not dropping?

Will someone please help me with some good instructions through the entire process? Like how long till ammonia drops[just a rough estimate cuz every tank is different.] and when the nitrites will spike and all that stuff.

Thanks!!!!!!

Answer 1

So far you're OK, it takes a while for the bacteria to start growing. The exact time when the process begins depends on the water temperature (low to mid 80's Fahrenheit is good), amount of oxygen available (good aeration is important) and how well your de-chlorinator worked (you did dechlorinate,didn't you?)  When the ammonia starts to drop,add a little more to feed the Nitrosomonas colony. As these bugs grow, the Nitrite should begin to rise, all this could take as long as 3 weeks. Then, feed the first colony a little more ammonia and they will oblige by making some more Nitrite to feed the Nitrobacter(the second colony).

As this process begins winding down, very slowly start to lower the water temperature to the temp that will best suit your fishes. Don't make sudden changes or you'll kill the bacteria colonies and have to start all over.

Be patient,don't give up. It's really worth the wait.

One more item don't add too many fish at on time, start with 2 or 3 or 4,depending on their size and then wait a couple of weeks before  adding more. It's all very trying, but it is the best,safest and most humane method.  -