DuzMano's Leddy 60XL 72l

[plankton]

This hobby teaches patience, especially with cycling.
It's all worth it as the fish will be healthier (unless you get poor ones from the shop, which happens) and if there are problems they will be easier to deal with.

[DuzMano]

Put ammonia in to 2ppm yesterday morning and another dose of bottle bacteria, this morning tests showing 0-0.2ppm ammonia, 0.25ppm nitrite, 40-80ppm nitrate, more near 80ppm than 40...

Redose the ammonia to 2ppm again?

[fr499y]

Yep back to 2ppm

[DuzMano]

Dosed ammonia yesterday evening,

This morning ammonia is 0.2-0.5, nitrite 0.25-0.5, nitrate off the scale haha

Will test again this evening for the benefit of the full 24 hours

[plankton]

Yes, it needs to be 24 hours otherwise you don't get a reasonable idea of what's going on.

[DuzMano]

Couldn't test in the evening was out longer than expected and not in a fit state to make a good fist of it on my return up too early this morning and regretting it hah

Will test after I get some coffee in me

[DuzMano]

Ammonia 0.2
Nitrite 0-0.25 - it's almost clear just a slight tinge of colour to it it it's barely noticeable
Nitrate still off the chart

Time for a redose of ammonia to 2ppm?

[plankton]

Yes, keep going - you need 3 days of zero ammonia and nitrite to be finished (that's testing after 24 hours).
Big water change to lower the nitrate before you get fish.

[DuzMano]

All is good. I'm away for the weekend next Friday - wife's birthday and our wedding anniversary so no getting out of it haha, so no livestock till after that at least. Will I need someone to keep adding daily ammonia while I'm away so as not to risk the built up bacteria going dormant or dying off?

Hopefully I can post 3 consecutive days being ammonia and nitrite free on my return and start the gradual stocking...

[plankton]

Just top up when you get back.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday to your wife!