3Rd Week Of Cycling, Still No Nitrites?

[marek_mom]

My son was given a 10 gallon fish tank for his birthday. I was told to "let the tank settle" for a week then add fish and I'd be good to go. Boy, was that some bad information. I've done my research on the Nitrogen cycle and now feel like I have a pretty good understanding. Unfortunately, I didn't learn about fish-less cycling until after the fish were added. I'm on day 21 on the cycle and I still have not seen the slightest amount of nitrites. I understand a lot of patience is needed and it can take up to 8 weeks for the cycle to complete. But, I've expected to see nitrites by now. I'm hoping y'all will be able to give me your opinions. Am I doing something wrong?

Here's a little more information- If I'm leaving anything out, please let me know. Thanks!

- 10 gallon tank set up on May 5th. It was a kit, therefore it included the filter, hood & light. I added gravel(new), ornaments, 6 artificial plants, heater and a thermometer.
- On May 15th, 3 fish were added: 2 Zebra Danios & 1 Black Molly. 1 Zebra Danio died the 2nd day and was removed within the hour.
- Water is treated with Seachem Prime.
- No other chemicals added, only Prime conditioner.
- Fish are fed a pinch of flake food once daily with one fasting day per week.

I planned on doing partial water changes 2x weekly. However, anytime the ammonia spikes above .25 ppm, I perform a partial (10-15%) water change, which seems to be every day or every other day.

5/24
pH: 7.6
High pH: 7.8-8.0
Ammonia: .25 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm

5/26
pH: 7.6
High pH: 7.8
Ammonia: .50 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm

5/29
pH: 7.6
High pH: 7.8
Ammonia: 1 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm

5/31
pH: 7.6
High pH: 7.8
Ammonia: 1 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm

6/3
pH: 7.6
High pH: 7.8
Ammonia: .50 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm

 

[waterdrop]

Hi there MM, Sounds totally normal to me and you are doing the right thing. Part of the reason that fishless cycling has become popular is because "fish-in" cycling like you are doing is painfully long and tiring with very little positive feedback sometimes! It can take many weeks (if not many months) to fully cycle a new biofilter. In a small tank with a few fish like your situation the feedback often seems very faint and slow. But that's ok - hang in there and you will eventually be rewarded. Clearly your 3 fish are producing ammonia that your new ammonia processors can't handle yet (since you are seeing a build-up) and during these weeks as you wait for them to grow you will keep watching for a "nitrite spike" that may happen. The part that nobody tells you about is that sometimes that -doesn't- happen (!) when you have small numbers of fish and the ammonia processors are moving along slowly (this allows the nitrite processors to divide and grow very slowly and just sneak up on you without giving the spike that everyone talks about.) Also, be aware that in biological systems such as this it is also common for things to occur rather suddenly but after a really long time of nothing seeming to happen!

The testing and water changes you are doing are important. Ammonia comes directly off the fish gills and in nature is diluted by millions of gallons of fresh water, keeping the ammonia ppm level effectively at zero nearly all the time in the natural experience. In the artificial environment of enclosed tanks, the ammonia build-up can cause gill damage and nitrite build-up can cause nerve and brain damage and by the time we humans see any symptoms, significant damage may have already occurred. So have no doubt that you are doing a good thing even though it is quite a hassle.

So how are you going to know when its over? Once you can go a couple of days without the test kits showing any ammonia or nitrite, you know you are getting really close! Its a good idea to keep rolling with your testing for a good solid week even if you are getting those zeros and feeling excited that you are cycled. Sometimes you can have a setback and the week of final checking will save you from that sort of thing. Even though it is a lot of work, it turns out that the learning you are doing right now with your tank and test kits is usually invaluable for you as a tank keeper in the future. It will mean that you will understand and appreciate biofilters a lot better than if you hadn't done it.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[FishFanatic04]

Just keep it up really. It can take a long time depending on your water. Can you ask for mature media from a LFS? You may need a jump start. IF not maybe try buy a cheap live stem plant. Sometimes a small amount of nitrifiers will be on them. It will at least give you something to try

 

[marek_mom]

Hi there MM, Sounds totally normal to me and you are doing the right thing. Part of the reason that fishless cycling has become popular is because "fish-in" cycling like you are doing is painfully long and tiring with very little positive feedback sometimes! It can take many weeks (if not many months) to fully cycle a new biofilter. In a small tank with a few fish like your situation the feedback often seems very faint and slow. But that's ok - hang in there and you will eventually be rewarded. Clearly your 3 fish are producing ammonia that your new ammonia processors can't handle yet (since you are seeing a build-up) and during these weeks as you wait for them to grow you will keep watching for a "nitrite spike" that may happen. The part that nobody tells you about is that sometimes that -doesn't- happen (!) when you have small numbers of fish and the ammonia processors are moving along slowly (this allows the nitrite processors to divide and grow very slowly and just sneak up on you without giving the spike that everyone talks about.) Also, be aware that in biological systems such as this it is also common for things to occur rather suddenly but after a really long time of nothing seeming to happen!

The testing and water changes you are doing are important. Ammonia comes directly off the fish gills and in nature is diluted by millions of gallons of fresh water, keeping the ammonia ppm level effectively at zero nearly all the time in the natural experience. In the artificial environment of enclosed tanks, the ammonia build-up can cause gill damage and nitrite build-up can cause nerve and brain damage and by the time we humans see any symptoms, significant damage may have already occurred. So have no doubt that you are doing a good thing even though it is quite a hassle.

So how are you going to know when its over? Once you can go a couple of days without the test kits showing any ammonia or nitrite, you know you are getting really close! Its a good idea to keep rolling with your testing for a good solid week even if you are getting those zeros and feeling excited that you are cycled. Sometimes you can have a setback and the week of final checking will save you from that sort of thing. Even though it is a lot of work, it turns out that the learning you are doing right now with your tank and test kits is usually invaluable for you as a tank keeper in the future. It will mean that you will understand and appreciate biofilters a lot better than if you hadn't done it.

~~waterdrop~~

Thanks for your input! I was beginning to get worried and wonder if I was doing something wrong. But it sounds like I'm on the right track. I'll keep up with the frequent water changes and continue to wait.

Just keep it up really. It can take a long time depending on your water. Can you ask for mature media from a LFS? You may need a jump start. IF not maybe try buy a cheap live stem plant. Sometimes a small amount of nitrifiers will be on them. It will at least give you something to try

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been shopping at Petco but I'm very excited to have just found a LFS. I plan on making a trip this weekend and I will be sure to ask if they have any. Otherwise, I may pick up a plant and see if it helps any. I didn't go that route originally because I was trying to be as low-maintenance as possible. Thanks again!

 

[FishFanatic04]

You could ask at your petco for media too. MY petco gives out their filter floss if asked, but I am not sure if it's a store policy type-thing, or just that the employees in mine know about cycling a tank. MY LFS doesn't believe in cycling tanks.