How long does it take bacteria in a cycled tank to convert Ammonia to Nitrate?

[Marden]

Having a hard time finding an answer to this one. All the answers have to do with cycling an aquarium. I am curious how long it takes a fully cycled tank's bacteria to convert ammonia to nitrate? 

[govsfabshop]

I've always heard 2ppm should be converted in 24hrs.

[Katherine]

My tap has .5ppm ammonia and I've had a newly filled tank with an established filter convert it all in less than 12 hours.

Edited December 21, 2023 by Katherine

[AllFishNoBrakes]

If the tank is fully cycled it should happen fast enough that you can’t detect it. Essentially, that’s how you know a tank is cycled. I know my tanks produce ammonia on a daily basis, but I can’t pick it up on a test, because it’s being converted to nitrite and then nitrate at a rate fast enough that I can only pick up nitrates. 

[Galabar]

This is a hard one to answer.  It would depend on (a) the biological capacity of your filter and (b) the amount of ammonia it has been processing (although, once established, nitrifying bacteria can multiply rapidly).