Axolotl Fish-less cycle question?

[Jankowpa01]

I do not have my Axolotl’s yet waiting for my cycle to complete! I am towards the end of my 30g fishless cycle. It has been a long journey. I have easily been processing 4ppm of ammonia in 24 hours for about a week.

Each night I add 4ppm ammonia ( Dr Tims) and test every 12 hrs and nitrites read around 2ppm but when I test after 24hrs they are at 0 nitrites. I am using API master Kit.

Should nitrites be constantly 0 in a 24 hour period or is a spike 12 hours later normal?

PH- is 7.4
Nitrates- 40ppm and will do water change once I am sure tank is cycled

 

[Murk]

Should nitrites be constantly 0 in a 24 hour period or is a spike 12 hours later normal?

Both "yes".

A nitrites spike after a sudden input of ammonia is normal, especially if you use pure ammonia.
When an axolotl poops it's a much more constant ammonia production as the poop decays, rather than a sudden burst of ammonia - so you would likely see less (or no) nitrite spikes.

Ideally, you would have such a strong cycle that even with a sudden input of ammonia, your colony of nitrites-eating bacteria is large enough that they can handle it without a spike, but it's generally not seen as necessary.

In general, if ammonia and nitrites are both 0 after 24 hours, that's good enough.

 

[Jankowpa01]

Thank you!

 

[Jankowpa01]

Both "yes".

A nitrites spike after a sudden input of ammonia is normal, especially if you use pure ammonia.
When an axolotl poops it's a much more constant ammonia production as the poop decays, rather than a sudden burst of ammonia - so you would likely see less (or no) nitrite spikes.

Ideally, you would have such a strong cycle that even with a sudden input of ammonia, your colony of nitrites-eating bacteria is large enough that they can handle it without a spike, but it's generally not seen as necessary.

In general, if ammonia and nitrites are both 0 after 24 hours, that's good enough.

Thank you!