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Dr Tim's one and only tank cycle question


DodgerDave

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30 gallon IM cube.
30 lbs of dry rock.
40 lbs of live sand
Below are Dr. Tim's one and only instructions with my recordings.
As you can see, I'm on my 3rd and final dosing of ammonia to 3 ppm. The instructions say that when water is able to process ammonia and nitrite to 0.00 in 24 hours, I'm good to go.
Since I was not able to process to 0.00 in 24 hours, do I need to dose back ammonia back to 3 ppm again?
I know everyone is going to say not to rush things, but I just wanted to get this process in check as I'm using all dry rock. Only thing running during this cycle is the return pump and heater. No signs of algae on the sand, glass, or rock.
Thanks!

Day 1 (02/15/15) – dose ammonia to 3 ppm ammonia-nitrogen [NH3-N] max.
If using DrTim’s Aquatics One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria add it now
(turn skimmer, UV and ozone off and remove filter socks for 48 hours).
Day 2 (02/16/15) – do nothing.
Day 3 (02/17/15) - Ammonia 2.5 / Nitrite 0.0
Day 5 (02/19/15) - Ammonia 1.5 / Nitrite 0.5
Day 7 (02/21/15) - Ammonia 0.75 / Nitrite 1.0
Day 8 (02/22/15) - Ammonia 0.75 / Nitrite 1.00
Day 11 (02/25/15) - Ammonia 0.00 / Nitrite 0.25
(every 3 days) – measure ammonia and nitrite.
Do nothing on days 4, 6, 9 and 10.

When ammonia and nitrite are both less than 0.5 ppm (NH3-N or NO2-N), add more ammonia to 3 ppm NH3-N.
Now measure ammonia and nitrite every day.
02/26/15 - Dosed ammonia to 3 ppm.
02/27/15 - Ammonia 2.75 / Nitrite 0.75
03/03/15 - Ammonia 0.00 / Nitrite 0.00

When ammonia and nitrite are both 0.2 ppm (NH3-N or NO2-N), add more ammonia to 3 ppm.
03/03/15 - Dosed ammonia to 3 ppm.
03/04/15 - Ammonia 0.75 / Nitrite 0.75
03/05/14 - Ammonia 0.00 / Nitrite 0.25

Continue to measure every day – when the water is able to process ammonia and nitrite to 0 ppm
within 24 hours, you’re done!
Do a partial water change and add some fish.

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i would like to know are you testing at the same times everyday, and also what are you using to test with

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Your ammonia would probably stay at 0 if you'd stop adding more.. just sayin'

 

40 lb of quality live sand usually handles a cycle. Stop adding stuff, test you're water, if you're ammo stays at 0 add your cleanup crew.

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