Thanks for the info. I saw that site also but not when I started. The one thing I did not do was add the ammonium chloride. I missed that one. But I did check my nitrated and today and they are going up now over 4.0 ppm My test kit only goes to 4. I will keep checking once Nitrates fall below 2.0 ppm I will be good to go. When will a water change be needed, After the drop or before. Because if before I think that will give me a false reading. Is that right?
Thanks again for the info.
I’m not trying to be patronizing, so if I sound that way, it’s not intentional. But, the way I’m reading your post I’m wondering if the cycle is clear.
What happens is you introduce ammonia to your tank one way or another. Letting a deli shrimp rot is one way. Adding ammonia directly through something like Dr. Tim’s ammonia is another.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MP4QG6/?tag=reefsanc-20.
That ammonia then turns into NITRITES, which are also dangerous for your fish.
The NITRITES then turns into NITRATES (note the difference between the i and the a) which are relative safe for your fish.
So, what you are looking to do is see ammonia turn into nitrites turn into nitrates.
Once your tank can safely turn ammonia AND nitrites into nitrates, your cycle is done.
So, you want both ammonia and nitrites to read 0 before adding fish.
Nitrates will not really go down until you do a water change. In fact, one of the major point of water changes is to bring nitrates down.
I thought you had added dr times ammonia when I posted. I now realize you haven’t. So, you do need an ammonia source. Adding a deli shrimp isn’t a bad idea if you want to do that.
Then watch your ammonia and nitrites. You should see both spike up and then go to zero. After which, your nitrates will go up. Those won’t come down really until you do a water change.
Once your tank is cycled, then you do a big water change to get the nitrates down before adding livestock.
I probably didn’t describe that great. I’ll look for a link.