Awful Quick Ammonia Drop?

[K.J.]

I started cycling my 10g two days ago. I added 4.0 - 5.0ppm of ammonia. Yesterday it dropped to about 2.0ppm. Today it was .50 - 1.0 so I added it to go up to 4.0. The nitrite is .50. I was under the impression it would take a week for the ammonia to drop down? Can someone tell me if I'm doing anything wrong?

 

[Dark Wolf]

Did you use any mature media or anything like that? What about your water pH?

Also you could just have been lucky, when i first cycled one of my tanks, the ammonia had dropped from 5-0 in 3 days. Still took ages for the Nitrites to drop though

 

[Doll]

Oh sure. Rub it in.



You're probably just lucky!

 

[Thirdfloor]

day 15 here and still no ammonia drop or nitrites

 

[scotslasszoe]

My tank took 1 week for ammonia to drop, its now 0,, nitrites still stuck at 0.25 but nitrates raising. seems to be going quick for me too.

I have done a fish in cycle, (slap slap)


Zoe

 

[K.J.]

Basically it was a betta sorority tank, but I cleaned it out and the filter dried. Then it housed one male betta, unfiltered, then I started cycling. MAYBE some bacteria was in the gravel, but not much. Ammonia went down to .25 from last time I checked, last night it was at 2.0... nitrite is still 5.0/off the chart. About to top up ammonia.

 

[rdd1952]

day 15 here and still no ammonia drop or nitrites

You have a problem and need to start over. I would do a 100% water change and add ammonia again. How high is the ammonia currently? What type filter do you have and what type media is in it? What is the temperature set at? What size tank is it?

 

[Thirdfloor]

ammonia is around 3ppm consistently. Internal 3 stage filter, all 3 types of media in use. temperature holds around 80-82 (orlando FL, USA, no heater). 18 gallons.

 

[rdd1952]

temperature holds around 80-82 (orlando FL, USA, no heater).

That is part of your problem. Bacteria reproduction is very slow until you get the water into the upper 80s to low 90s. You still should have seen some change though in the ammonia though. As I said, I would do a large water change and try again. And a cheap heater to raise the temp while cycling would be a good investment. You can get a 100w heater at Petsmart for $16.99.

 

[Thirdfloor]

Good news! As I did my nightly test I FINALLY noticed the presence of nitrites!!!! I'll check again tomorow night, level should be higher.