Nitrogen cycle - ph and Ammonia dropped

Hi friends,

I started Fishless cycle for my planted tank last Saturday. I added Ammonia on Saturday.

Sunday test reading : ph 7.5, Ammonia 4 ppm and nitrite 0ppm

But today (Monday) ph dropped significantly. Today's reading is ph 6.6, Ammonia 2ppm and nitrite 0ppm.. I attached today's reading below



Please advice what should I do now?.. is it normal?

 

The ammonia dropping is good and to be expected although usually not so quick. The pH dropping so low so quickly could cause cycling problems. This happens when the water lacks the proper buffers to hold the KH up thus the pH steady and can be solved by running some crushed coral in your filter.

 

The ammonia dropping is good and to be expected although usually not so quick. The pH dropping so low so quickly could cause cycling problems. This happens when the water lacks the proper buffers to hold the KH up thus the pH steady and can be solved by running some crushed coral in your filter.

Thank you. I added ph increaser to get back to 7.5...

Do I need to add more Ammonia to get back it to 4ppm?

 

Thank you. I added ph increaser to get back to 7.5...

Do I need to add more Ammonia to get back it to 4ppm?

You are very welcome. You can continue adding the pH UP but if you add crushed coral you shouldn't experience the constant ups and downs. The CC should stabilize it.

I wouldn't. I would let it get down close to zero before adding more.

 

You are very welcome. You can continue adding the pH UP but if you add crushed coral you shouldn't experience the constant ups and downs. The CC should stabilize it.

I wouldn't. I would let it get down close to zero before adding more.

Ok. Thank you. So if this situation happens again, I will keep increase ph back and add Ammonia back to 4ppm if it down close to zero.