I'm in the process of doing the fishless cycle, and Ive been adding 1 tsp of ammonia every night for the past couple of months. Depending on when I test the water I get somewhat different results. If I test it almost 24 hours after I added ammonia then all the levels are good. If I test the water (like today) 9 hours after adding the ammonia its shows a small level of ammonia and nitrites.
At what time of the day should I test the water in order to get the most accurrate representation of how my water cycle is performing? I imagine the bacteria inside needs some time to process the ammonia, but how long should that take?
Full Version: Best Time To Check The Water
When you say that you test the water 24 hours after the addition of ammonia and all the parameters are "good", does this mean that the ammonia and nitrite are at zero?
IF so, your tank is cycled.
The time to test the tank is just before you would normally add another jolt of ammonia to it. If the colony of beneficial bacteria has grown to the population needed to process the teaspoon of ammonia between the times you feed it, then it is a good, solid colony.
Remember, fish will add waste continually. They eliminate all around the clock. They are a constant source of waste. WHen you add your ammonia to the tank, though, you are adding it in a large "jolt" of waste. It takes a number of hours for the ammonia be processed by the bacteria. Not only does it take the bacteria a while to work, depending on your filter's gph, it mechanically takes a certain amount of time for the water containing the ammonia to pass by the bacteria colony. They do not have a chance to begin work until they have access to that ammonia. You will not have the bump in ammonia/nitrite when you have fish - for they do not have a "jolt" additions - it is a constant small addition that the filter constantly pumps past the bacterial colonies and it is processed constantly.
If you can add a tsp of ammoina to your tank and it is all processed to zero ammonia, zero nitrites within 24 hours, your tank is cycled. Congratulations! Depending on the size of the tank (and the concentration of the ammonia), you have a cycle that will now support a fish or community of fish.
Realize that a tsp of ammonia will not make as "large" or "strong" a colony of bacteria in a 100 gallon tank as it will in a 10 gallon tank. ADd fish in accordance to this.
You need to check your nitrAtes now. Most likely they are at about 3094032410384 ppm and need to be changed out. Do not be afraid to change out masssive amounts of water to bring the nitrates into shape. The bacteria is in your filter!
YIPEEE!!!!
I love a freshly cycled tank! 
HAppy fishing! 
IF so, your tank is cycled.
The time to test the tank is just before you would normally add another jolt of ammonia to it. If the colony of beneficial bacteria has grown to the population needed to process the teaspoon of ammonia between the times you feed it, then it is a good, solid colony.
Remember, fish will add waste continually. They eliminate all around the clock. They are a constant source of waste. WHen you add your ammonia to the tank, though, you are adding it in a large "jolt" of waste. It takes a number of hours for the ammonia be processed by the bacteria. Not only does it take the bacteria a while to work, depending on your filter's gph, it mechanically takes a certain amount of time for the water containing the ammonia to pass by the bacteria colony. They do not have a chance to begin work until they have access to that ammonia. You will not have the bump in ammonia/nitrite when you have fish - for they do not have a "jolt" additions - it is a constant small addition that the filter constantly pumps past the bacterial colonies and it is processed constantly.
If you can add a tsp of ammoina to your tank and it is all processed to zero ammonia, zero nitrites within 24 hours, your tank is cycled. Congratulations! Depending on the size of the tank (and the concentration of the ammonia), you have a cycle that will now support a fish or community of fish.
Realize that a tsp of ammonia will not make as "large" or "strong" a colony of bacteria in a 100 gallon tank as it will in a 10 gallon tank. ADd fish in accordance to this.
You need to check your nitrAtes now. Most likely they are at about 3094032410384 ppm and need to be changed out. Do not be afraid to change out masssive amounts of water to bring the nitrates into shape. The bacteria is in your filter!
YIPEEE!!!!
I love a freshly cycled tank! HAppy fishing!
QUOTE(daryl @ Jan 17 2006, 09:44 AM)
You need to check your nitrAtes now. Most likely they are at about 3094032410384 ppm and need to be changed out.
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Wow!! That must be some test kit you have, daryl!! Mine only reads up to 160 ppm!!
Great question and very thorough answer! Makes perfect sense.
Have fun with your newly cycled tank!
That, my dear, is what is called a "Chelsea number" after a very special Koko's member.
"Chelsea Numbers" are now officially known - for they were used and accepted in 3 diffferent papers and 1 patent.
"Chelsea Numbers" are now officially known - for they were used and accepted in 3 diffferent papers and 1 patent.
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