BrokkenBow Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Hi all, first time poster here. I've recently acquired some pure ammonia solution (Clorogene in Petone, Wellington for those who is after some!) and have started my cycling process for my 60L tank. I initially dosed the water to be 3ppm Ammonia, over the past 3 weeks, testing has shown a slow decrease in ammonia (test every 3 days) down to 0.25ppm as of today. But the problem is I am not seeing any increases in nitrite nor nitrate. I am using the API master test kit, my tank is planted, although not heavily, water is dosed with Prime and I am using a sponge filter. Any idea out there as to how this could be happening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Are you following instructions exactly on test kits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 It can take longer in colder water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokkenBow Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 I think so, especially in regards to shaking vigorously for the nitrate test. Is it possible for ammonia to evaporate instead of getting converted? I'm down in Dunedin where the temperature is constantly about 14-15c, wondering if that affects things too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokkenBow Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Cheers for that LivingArt! Do you think at this stage I should redose the tank back up to 3ppm, and keep doing the testings? By the way is there an article along with that graph? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 My understanding is that prime contains thiosulphate to neutralize chlorine and chloramines. When the chloramines are broken down one of the biproducts is ammonia so they added a compound to make that less toxic. This may be altering your test results. livingart 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Agree with Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokkenBow Posted April 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Thanks for that guys, what do you think is my best course of action right now, let things be, wait and see or restart without Prime? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shilo Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Primes not needed, just avoid water changes and no chlorine will be added (you have no fish so water changes are needed). Carry on adding ammonia when it drops but get a cheap heater to put into the tank. Coldwater cycling takes a long long time but if you get the temp up to 28C it will fast track and be done in a couple of weeks. Just bring up the temperature over a few days and bring it back down the same way once the cycling is finished. livingart 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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