Cycling Problems.

[Luketendo]

I took ages to show signs of things happening. I got a little bit frustrated but just need to stick to the cycling methods.

I managed to get mature media from a forum user and that properly kicked started things. Could you get some mature media from a friend/contact/LFS?

I have mature media from my 2 year tank but it's not working.

Oh right, might sound daft but..
Did you move the right parts of the media across? Move it across quickly?

I moved ceramic media into my stingray (which previously had it in also), I swapped them over but this time kept the media in tank water practically all of the time, no leaving it on the chest of draws. It didn't take long, like 1 or 2 mins.

 

[Luketendo]

Tested this morning and there was still no change.

 

[rabbut]

Tested this morning and there was still no change.

Hi
What type of ammonia are you using, and what is the full list of ingredients on the bottle. When shaken, does the contents foam, and if so for how long. Finaly, can you run me through todays results.
Thanks
Rabbut

 

[Luketendo]

Tested this morning and there was still no change.

Hi
What type of ammonia are you using, and what is the full list of ingredients on the bottle. When shaken, does the contents foam, and if so for how long. Finaly, can you run me through todays results.
Thanks
Rabbut

I've already been through this a million times, it is the right ammonia. Other people have used it, it's Boots Household Ammonia, contains 9.5% ammonia and the rest is water. It doesn't foam at all it gives all invisible gas that goes up my nose like it's supposed too.

 

[Luketendo]

Been another 3 days now the parameters are 5ppm ammonia and ph 7.0 still.

I'm tempted just to restart and do a fish cycle like I did with my other tank, at least it works.

 

[Luketendo]

I suppose there's nothing I can do then?

 

[SexyFishKeeper]

I suppose there's nothing I can do then?

There's nothing I could suggest that you've not already done. I'm not really experienced enough yet.

 

[Luketendo]

What should I do then?

 

[Luketendo]

Any ideas?

 

[Luketendo]

Anyone?

 

[Underwurlde]

I bet you're sick to death with everyones 'advice' now.

I know I would be.

I've tried to help as best I can so far, but it just ain't working, so let me ask you this: What is your gut feeling as to what is going wrong?

This process can get extremely complicated, but the 'normal' cycling process is an easy one: Bacteria grow and then a differnet bacteria grow. But that is to say that a whole number of other things may also be happening. There are other nitrifaction and denitrifiaction processes that can also be happening if you are unlucky enough. Also (I think I may have mentioned in passing) is that something may be killing the bacteria - a chemical or an airspray / deoderant, room freshener... the list goes on. It now gets very difficult for people to second guess what may be happening to your setup and I guess also that people don't want to pi$$ you off (even more!) by now second guessing things and pointing out all the obvious stuff you are now, or have been, aware of.

Andy

 

[Luketendo]

My dad thinks I should cycle with Zebra Danios (I want these anyway,) because it worked from my bigger tank.

It'd mean emptying and refilling the tank (again -.-) to get rid of the ammonia because I figured 5ppm+ of Ammonia won't be good for them.

I don't use any aerosols or anything in my bedroom at all.

The only thing I could think is that I don't have an air stone in there but i've heard mixed things about their effectiveness. I do have an air pump and two air stones until my air stones mushed up into pieces when I tried to remove them from the tube.

 

[Underwurlde]

I don't see how adding fish can help really, but you WILL know that the ammonia produced is fit for purpose. What I mean is that the ammonia you are putting into the tank to feed the bacteria may have another added ingrediant that is causing things to stall, but if you are 100% (not 99%) absoluetly 100% sure that the ammonia you are using is 100% ok, then adding fish will not IMO improve things. I know 'it worked before on my other tank', but I hope you'll agree with me that this tank is not the same?

Airstones are marginally effective at increasing O2 just a little bit, but are by no means as effective 'as they look'. By looking at the things bubbling masses of air through the water that they'd put lots of O2 into the water but they don't. - How they improve oxygenation of the water is my disturbing the surface of the water - something which can just as effectively be achieved by correctly postioning the outlet form the filter.

Andy

 

[Luketendo]

Other people have used Boots Household Ammonia before me.

What should I do then..?

Should I run my stingray in my mature tank for a while then move it?

If so for how long in the mature tank?

 

[Underwurlde]

Stingray?