Cycling For 2 Months...

[lucasluke]

In June I got my first tropical tank. A 48 litre 'Fishbox'. The day after everythin had settled I attempted a fishless cycle. The cycle was going until the end of July when I went on holiday. That is 60 days! Now the problem I had is this... at the start I topped ammonia up to 4ppm. It didn't move. Even 2 months later it had not gone down one bit. My test kit is indate. It is an API master kit. There is plenty of oxygen in the tank coming from the venturi. I added declorinator, I don't know why it hasnt moved. I got back from holiday and I am visiting family until next week, when I will be able to see if it has moved. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Hardlife91]

Water change and try the fishless cycle type on this forum. Its the one i used and i did it in 2 weeks. Try live plants as well.

If this still fails after say 3 weeks? (meaning emptying the tank and starting again!) then it might be time to try a fish in cycle.

Matt

 

[fluttermoth]

What temp have you got the tank at? And what's your pH? Is there no-one who can give you a bit of mature media to get the cycle going? Ask around your LFSs?

 

[lucasluke]

Tank temperature is 30 ceclius. PH is 7.6. I have asked around local fish stores but they have never heard of 'fishless cycling' and wont give me any.

It is starting to frustrate me now as I never knew it would be this much trouble.

 

[fluttermoth]

where abouts are you?

 

[lucasluke]

Middlesbrough north east

 

[Hardlife91]

I would have given you some but im in nottingham
Look on the media donations list. there should be someone closer!

 

[Dav]

Luke Have you tried ringing around a few places maidenhead aquatics In strikes garden centre in Stokesley (they have good staff ) , I'm from the north east(guisborough) but I'm unable to give you any as I'm offshore.

 

[lucasluke]

Didnt know there was a Maidenhead in Stokesley.

I will have to give them a ring and see what they say. Do you know if they do give media out?

 

[Miles_hot]

Hardlife - it can be posted in a water right container with 45ppm ammonia...

 

[Dav]

Didnt know there was a Maidenhead in Stokesley.

I will have to give them a ring and see what they say. Do you know if they do give media out?

Maidenhead Aquatics 01642 710600

I'm not 100% sure but I know the guys there are really good so could be worth asking mate.

 

[lucasluke]

Hardlife - it can be posted in a water right container with 45ppm ammonia...

So it can be posted then? Hmmm... if this Maidenhead wont donate any maybe someone on this forum could.

Didnt know there was a Maidenhead in Stokesley.

I will have to give them a ring and see what they say. Do you know if they do give media out?

Maidenhead Aquatics 01642 710600

I'm not 100% sure but I know the guys there are really good so could be worth asking mate.

Yeh will give them a ring when they open tomorrow cheers

 

[RobberyinCSharp]

Because you have a tank that has been cycling for two months, it should be perfectly safe to manipulate with chemicals by now. I would go out and buy a nice Ammonia reducer. I have the same problem and it is primarily due to the fact that 1. I have well water, so there are tons of minerals in it, and 2. I have a lot of fish (10 gallon tank and about 9 fish). When this happens, it is wise to change the water every day until things start to stable out. Best of luck! I'm currently working on that problem myself!

 

[lucasluke]

Because you have a tank that has been cycling for two months, it should be perfectly safe to manipulate with chemicals by now. I would go out and buy a nice Ammonia reducer. I have the same problem and it is primarily due to the fact that 1. I have well water, so there are tons of minerals in it, and 2. I have a lot of fish (10 gallon tank and about 9 fish). When this happens, it is wise to change the water every day until things start to stable out. Best of luck! I'm currently working on that problem myself!

I am doing a fishless cycle so I don't want to reduce the ammonia.

I just rang Maidenhead Aquatics and they told me they don't sell mature filter media and told me to go to Pets At Home.
Yeh, like pets at home would sell it lol...

 

[fluttermoth]

There are very, very few shops that sell mature media as a part of their normal range; what you need is a friendly shop that will donate you a bit from their own system. If you get really stuck, some can be sent to you in the post.