Cant Get Cycling Started!

[Ddraig]

Dear all,

I need help!

Bought a 30l tank and added water (de-chlorinated) in early September (8th). Added homebase ammonia at 4ppm. Have been testing regularly since (KPI master) and still reading ammonia 4ppm, nitrite nil. Now approaching day 60. Have tried and failed to get hold of some mature media but can't find anyone or a LFS who will donate.

5yr daughter (whose tank it is) has long ago forgotten about the promise of fish when the tank is ready!

Can anyone suggest a solution....


Thanks in advance,
J

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Raise the pH to 8.4 (adding baking soda - sodium bicarbonate), raise the temperature to 84F (29-30C). Furthermore, I would add a pinch of fish food to the tank. There may be some missing minerals in your water, adding the fish food (just the tiniest pinch) will add some extra minerals to the tank. What dechlorinator are you using?


When in doubt...empty the tank and start fresh. What is the filter? What is the filter media? The more information you provide about your specific set-up the better folks here can help you.

 

[CezzaXV]

My money is on the pH being too low. I had a pH crash and my cycle ground to a halt! Use bicarb to get your pH up - ideally it should be around 8.

 

[HayzH]

+1 (i agree) check your PH

 

[Ddraig]

Thanks all!

pH is 8.0 and has been stable at this level.
Dechlorinator is interpret bioactive aquasafe.
Temperature is 20-22C (don't have a heater) - i know that upping this would help...
Filter is aquastart (supplied with tank) and media is simply black open pore foam. Am sorry i can't be more specific with these answers.

Any further thoughts welcome.
Will trying adding food...

Thanks,
J

 

[CezzaXV]

I'd be inclined to buy a heater, even if you sell it after the cycling process is done.

Are you using enough dechlorinator? Might be an idea to do a double dose in case you have chloramine in your water. Are you running your filter 24/7? Sorry if it seems like stupid questions, but sometimes the things you miss are the most obvious.

 

[fluttermoth]

Without wanting to be a pain; you're going to need a heater anyway; there aren't any coldwater fish that are suitable for a 30l tank...

 

[CrazyCichlaMomma]

i know from experience that the cycle will NOT start till the temp is over 80 degrees F. i wasted electricity running the filter for a month waiting for my 180 to start cycling i finally ended up buying a 400 watt heater, and to get it up to temp quickly, a 50% water change with warmer water to get it going.

 

[Ddraig]

Thanks all,
Message received - heater needed!
Filter running 24/7, will dose up on dechlor

For fluttermoth - is in a warm room so was hoping to try some small temperates.

J