2 weeks into cycle ???

Questions...

After 2 weeks from dropping the shrimp in the tank I believe my ammonia is starting to kick in but it's been flat lining @.50ppm for the past 7 days... Today after a week of ammonia being @.50 my nitrite raised to .25ppm

But after a steady PH reading of 8.2 throughout my test results, today it tested @8.0 should I be concerned?

Shouldn't the ammonia levels be higher than .50 or am I over thinking this?

Has the cycle begun?

 

Sounds right on schedule or very close to it.

While cycling do not be too concerned about the pH level. Anything above 7.5 is just fine. You should also test the pH the same time of day each time to get a more accurate reading. Before the lights come on it will be it's lowest, towards the end of the lighting period it should be the at it's highest.

Yes you are cycling, once you start to see nitrite the nitrifying bacteria are doing their job but just need to grow in numbers.

 

Dump BioSpira in there and your cycle will be done.

 

Thanks for the reply,

I test (all tests) @ 5pm everyday... I just thought it was wierd my PH dropped but I won't worry. I should expect the levels (ammonia and nitrite) to go higher though right?

 

Ammonia might not, nitrite probably will and then you should start to see a nitrate level.

 

Both ammonia and nitrite just hit 1ppm today... needless to say I'm getting excited and can see light at the the end of the tunnel.