Confused

[beanz8]

I have been fishless cycling for a month now and i am only just starting to see movement in my test results.

What has me confused is that my Ammonia test does not seem to be getting any lighter but both my Nitrite test and my Nitrate tests has started to change colour.

My ammonia seems to be hovering just lighter than 4ppm.
My Nitrite test is between 0.5-1ppm.
My Nitrate test is about 10 ppm.

(both the Nitrite and Nitrate were 0 from the tap water, and ammonia was dosed to around 5ppm)

Is this on track or should the Ammonia be dropping more?

Thanks

 

[The Taffy Apple]

A few things to check.. how is your PH? A low (<7.0) PH will stall the cycle. How are your NitrAtes? Again, high NitrAtes can stall the cycle. Finally, what is the temperature of your water? I found the cycle works best at around 29/30 degrees.

Hope this helps.
Terry.



#EDIT#.. forget my NitrAte comment, just seen you posted your results in the original post.

 

[KittyKat]

The first ammonia drop is much slower than the nitrite increase because 1 ppm of ammonia would give you about 2.7 ppm nitrite.

 

[beanz8]

Ahh Kitty Kat that makes sense to me - i wondered what the changes would be.

The Taffy Apple - my low PH is around 7.6 and my temp is at 28*C fpr some reason the heater doesnt want to make it any warmer. As i didnt have any mature media to put in it i knew it was going to take a while as this is my first tank. Im being taught the valuable lession of patience - something which isnt a virtue of mine.

Thanks for answering!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Stick with it, it WILL happen... my 30L took over 3 months to properly cycle, yet my 110L tool just 12 days (with the help of some donated mature media).

Best of luck.
Terry.

 

[KittyKat]

The Taffy Apple - my low PH is around 7.6 and my temp is at 28*C fpr some reason the heater doesnt want to make it any warmer. As i didnt have any mature media to put in it i knew it was going to take a while as this is my first tank. Im being taught the valuable lession of patience - something which isnt a virtue of mine.

Have a look at the media donors list on here, there may be someone in your area.