5 Gal Cycling Questions

Okay so next, next, week my 5 gallon will be cycled
1. I'm going away next next week, will the cycle be alright with no ammonia input
2. Should I add some ammonia if so? And how much???
Thanks!!!

 

No, the bacteria will die off after 24 hours of no ammonia.

 

How do you know your tank will be cycled next, next week?

 

How do you know your tank will be cycled next, next week?

I was thinking the same darn thing lol.

 

No, the bacteria will die off after 24 hours of no ammonia.

OKay so before I go should I add more? ( I have Dr. Tims solution)

I was thinking the same darn thing lol.

Well, I estimated it'd be finished cycling within these two weeks or when I'm on my trip

 

Well, I estimated it'd be finished cycling within these two weeks or when I'm on my trip

Well like AquaticJ said 24 hours after not being fed your B.B. will die so unless you are going on a 1 day vacation you will have to restart your cycle when you get back , average cycle time varies but it usually takes around a month. How long ago did you start your cycling process?

 

Put two or three 14 day vacation feeder blocks in your tank a day before you leave.

 

Put two or three 14 day vacation feeder blocks in your tank a day before you leave.

Yeah, true I didn’t even really think of that as being an option. Good point.

 

Well like AquaticJ said 24 hours after not being fed your B.B. will die so unless you are going on a 1 day vacation you will have to restart your cycle when you get back , average cycle time varies but it usually takes around a month. How long ago did you start your cycling process?

I started my cycling process maybe a month and a half ago

Yeah, true I didn’t even really think of that as being an option. Good point.

could I just put pure ammonia in instead? and if I do, how many ppms do I put in?

 

How long are you going to be gone? I would do the feeder blocks so you are assured there’s a steady feed source.

 

Sure, it has to be pure ammonium chloride, no additives. Dose and maintain 2ppm of ammonia until you can dose the ammonia and within 24 hours your tank has 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 5+ nitrates. But you still can’t leave doing that method.

 

How long are you going to be gone? I would do the feeder blocks so you are assured there’s a steady feed source.

I'm going to be gone for 4 days in total

Sure, it has to be pure ammonium chloride, no additives. Dose and maintain 2ppm of ammonia until you can dose the ammonia and within 24 hours your tank has 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 5+ nitrates. But you still can’t leave doing that method.

Uh please elaborate :-: sounds like a good method I'm just a bit confused

 

I started my cycling process maybe a month and a half ago

6 weeks? Are you testing to see if the tank is cycled? That's a long time...

 

6 weeks? Are you testing to see if the tank is cycled? That's a long time...

Yea my ammonia is 1 ppm, nitrite at 1.5 ish ppm (it was in between 1 and 2 ppm) and nitrate is at 20-40 ppm