How long do I wait before testing the ammonia?

When I give my tank a dose of ammonia for a fishless cycle how long do I need to wait before I test the water for ammonia?

 

When I give my tank a dose of ammonia for a fishless cycle how long do I need to wait before I test the water for ammonia?

Test for what purpose? To confirm you dosed correct or to see if the ammonia level has gone down?

 

Test for what purpose? To confirm you dosed correct or to see if the ammonia level has gone down?

Confirm I dosed the tank correctly.

 

Just let it mix around a few minutes and test it. Are you counting the drops?

 

Just let it mix around a few minutes and test it. Are you counting the drops?

Yes. So far I’ve added 20 drops at a time. I’m using Dr Tim’s ammonium chloride with the tap water having ammonia between .50-1.0ppm.

 

Confirm I dosed the tank correctly.

If you use this dosing calculator, there shouldn’t be a need to confirm you dosed correct.

Ammonia Calculator for Aquariums - Spec-Tanks

Yes. So far I’ve added 20 drops at a time. I’m using Dr Tim’s ammonium chloride with the tap water having ammonia between .50-1.0ppm.

Since you’re using Dr. Tim’s, ignore my dosing calculator.

 

If you use this dosing calculator, there shouldn’t be a need to confirm you dosed correct.

Ammonia Calculator for Aquariums - Spec-Tanks

Since you’re using Dr. Tim’s, ignore my dosing calculator.

plus I’ve heard that people end up overdosing their aquariums when following the instructions of Dr.Tim’s ammonium chloride. With tap water that already has ammonia in it, I’m using the amount of drops needed for a 5 gallon aquarium to be safe.

 

Yes. So far I’ve added 20 drops at a time. I’m using Dr Tim’s ammonium chloride with the tap water having ammonia between .50-1.0ppm.

I dont think it matters. Just figure out your dose for 2ppm.

 

I dont think it matters. Just figure out your dose for 2ppm.

By the way, the last time I did a fishless cycle the recommended start for ammonia was 4ppm. Has it now gone down to 2ppm?

 

4ppm is overkill in a small tank IMO. You can do 4 if you like. It depends on who you ask I guess.

 

I like to start with 4ppm to get the ball rolling. 2, or even 1ppm is plenty for follow up supplements. That would be equal to what a fairly heavily stocked tank would produce in a day.

 

I like to start with 4ppm to get the ball rolling. 2, or even 1ppm is plenty for follow up supplements. That would be equal to what a fairly heavily stocked tank would produce in a day.

2 ppm equals a fairly heavily stocked tank?

 

2 ppm equals a fairly heavily stocked tank?

1 to 2ppm per day would be the high end with plenty of fish and food. That's my understanding from all I've read. My own testing on new tanks shows it takes several days to get to this point with very light stocking. This is why it's best to have only a few small fish when doing a fish in cycle.

 

1 to 2ppm per day would be the high end with plenty of fish and food. That's my understanding from all I've read. My own testing on new tanks shows it takes several days to get to this point with very light stocking. This is why it's best to have only a few small fish when doing a fish in cycle.

I might want to add more than 2 ppm if it only takes several days for a lightly stocked aquarium to reach 2 ppm.

 

I might want to add more than 2 ppm if it only takes several days for a lightly stocked aquarium to reach 2 ppm.

Did I miss the size of the tank we’re talking about?

 

Did I miss the size of the tank we’re talking about?

It’s a 20 gallon long aquarium.

 

Did I miss the size of the tank we’re talking about?

Post # 7 lead me to believe a 10g.

Edit...... was way off....lol

 

It’s a 20 gallon long aquarium.

Dosing to 2 or 3 ppm at most (including the ammonia in your tap water) will be fine.