Cycling your Fish Tank

 

Fishless cycling 

(Updated 08.03.2025)

• Add ammonia, two drops per gallon.
• Test the ammonia 12 hours later and verify 2ppm
• Add bacteria (Shake bottle)  The liquid should be cloudy.
• Measure ammonia and nitrite levels every 2 to 3 days. 
• Once nitrite levels start to show, the cycle process has begun.
• Continue to measure ammonia and nitrite levels every 2 to 3 days. 
• It's Ok for the ammonia to go down to 0 ppm.
• Continue to test ammonia and nitrite every 2 to 3 days.
• When the nitrite levels begin to drop, expect a rapid decrease. This is the start of the final phase. 
• As the nitrite levels decrease, the nitrate reading will increase. 
• When the ammonia and nitrite levels reach 0 ppm, the cycle is almost done.

Last step

• Add a full dose of ammonia to the water to bring it to 2ppm. Allow it to sit overnight. When tested the next day, only nitrate should appear. Ammonia and Nitrite levels should read 0ppm. If the ammonia or nitrite level is over 0 ppm, give it a couple more days and test again.