I have read
the guide and it gave me just the confidence I needed to get started.
Thank you for putting it together.
The thing is I've now had a crisis of confidence so wanted to ask the experts here if things sound like they're progressing as they should be.
I've not changed any water since 1st fill and my aquarium currently has only substrate and bogwood, no plants.
On the first day, as well as dosing with the ammonia, I squished the filter sponge from the kid's Guppy tank (this was cycled with fish-in
) to start things off.
I've turned up the temperature to about 28c / 83f and lowered the water level to maximise surface agitation.
Day 1 3ml dose of ammonia to start gives me a reading of 3ppm
Day 2 did nothing.
Day 3 reading 1.5ppm ammonia and 2ppm nitrites
Day 4 reading 0.5ppm ammonia and 3ppm nitrites. Added another 3ml ammonia
Day 5 did nothing
Day 6 reading 0ppm ammonia and 3ppm nitrites. Added another 3ml ammonia
Day 7 reading 0ppm ammonia and 5ppm nitrites. Added 1/3 dose: 1ml ammonia
Day 8 did nothing
Day 9 reading 0ppm ammonia and 5ppm nitrites. Added 1/3 dose: 1ml ammonia
Day 10 did nothing
Day 11 today 29/5/15 reading 0ppm ammonia and (approx?) 5ppm nitrites. Added 1/3 dose: 1ml ammonia
So phase 1 of the cycle seems to be complete, in that I'm converting all the ammonia in 24hrs, but phase 2 seems to be lagging. I understand it is likely to take longer.
So just wanted to check: am I doing things correctly and do I just need to be more patient for the next stage to kick in?
Any other advice at all will be gladly received.