Cycle Opinions

[HayzH]

Hi...me again to bug you all!

I am on day 13 for Tank 1.
Its stuck at 3-4ppm, no Nitites and 0.25 Nitrates (VERY dark yellow, but not orange) The water smells "dusty" and there is white floaty slime/thick cobweb build up on my heater temperature knob and on the suckers that hold it to the tank. BBA said this was normal..but my other tank has no smell to it.

I am on day 8 for tank 2.
I had double zero's this morning and Nitrates were 20ppm, added 2.20ml of ammonia to bump it back up to 4ppm.
12 hours later and the Amm = 2ppm ...Nitrites = 2ppm and Nitrates = 30ppm.

how far do you think i am into the cycle and what is the build up and smell in tank 1 and is this halting the cycle?
any input apprieciated xxx

 

[lucasluke]

Hi...me again to bug you all!

I am on day 13 for Tank 1.
Its stuck at 3-4ppm, no Nitites and 0.25 Nitrates (VERY dark yellow, but not orange) The water smells "dusty" and there is white floaty slime/thick cobweb build up on my heater temperature knob and on the suckers that hold it to the tank. BBA said this was normal..but my other tank has no smell to it.

I am on day 8 for tank 2.
I had double zero's this morning and Nitrates were 20ppm, added 2.20ml of ammonia to bump it back up to 4ppm.
12 hours later and the Amm = 2ppm ...Nitrites = 2ppm and Nitrates = 30ppm.

how far do you think i am into the cycle and what is the build up and smell in tank 1 and is this halting the cycle?
any input apprieciated xxx

13 Days is quite awhile for the ammonia not to go down. It happened to me when I first cycle. The ammonia dropped alot the first day then wouldn't drop at all. Have you checked your PH at all? As soon as PH drops into the 6's bacterial growth slows down alot. If your PH is low, add some bicarbonate of soda - around a teaspoon would do it. I would say give it a few more days - if there is no change do a 90% water change and redose ammonia.

For the white slime thing on your suckers that is completely normal for a new tank. I have it on mine too. It goes away in time once the aquarium is established. I don't know what the smell is, could something of contaminated your tank? Like I said before a big water change will find out for you.

Tank 2's cycle sounds about right to me. Sometimes you often get fooled by double zero readings one day. This is what the qualifying week at the end of a cycle is for. To stop just what you explained. Chances are your ammonia and nitrites will both be 0 again tomorrow.

 

[HayzH]

yeah..i did think about a water change, but didnt know if it would balls the cycle up.
On day 14 now and it still hasnt budged Amm = 3ppm Ni = 0 Na = 0.25 My PH started at 8.3 when i added the Ammonia, it is now around 7.5.

i'm losing faith now!

Tank 2 is playing silly b*****s too. Tested this morning: 24hrs after adding redose.

Amm = 1ppm Ni = between 2-5ppm Na = 80ppm ....

Think i'll do a water change...50% ... hope it budges!

 

[the_lock_man]

Tank 1 0.25 nitrAte sounds strange - there's often more than that in tap water, what's the tap water nitrate level?. Yes, the white sludge is perfectly normal. The smell - sorry don't know.

Tank 2 Sounded good until this morning - keep the faith on that one.

 

[HayzH]

Tank 1 0.25 nitrAte sounds strange - there's often more than that in tap water, what's the tap water nitrate level?. Yes, the white sludge is perfectly normal. The smell - sorry don't know.

Tank 2 Sounded good until this morning - keep the faith on that one.

yes i tested tap water all 0's

 

[Overload]

You are using the API Master kit right?

The Nitrate test on that is a #29### to get working right. You really have to bash bottle 2 around to get it mixed properly, so might just be flaky readings.

I am tempted to try the salifert tests but I can only find what look like marine ones. Maybe someone else knows the right place to get them? be good to compare.

 

[the_lock_man]

Tank 1 0.25 nitrAte sounds strange - there's often more than that in tap water, what's the tap water nitrate level?. Yes, the white sludge is perfectly normal. The smell - sorry don't know.

Tank 2 Sounded good until this morning - keep the faith on that one.

yes i tested tap water all 0's

That's odd, that you've got some nitrate, but no nitrite. Sorry, I'm stumped.

 

[HayzH]

yeah me too ...
I know about the bottle 2 of Nitrate..and believe me i shake it!! It does go very dark yellow though. wierd!