Cycling Question

[martyn413]

Hi Everyone,

My tank has been cycling for over 5 weeks now and just this week the nitrites has risen to over 5ppm. The ammonia dropped from 5-8 ppm to 2ppm on Wednesday. Thursday it dropped to 1ppm and this morning it was at 1ppm.

My problem is that i were going to be travelling today and returning on Sunday. The problem i have is that i will not be able to add any more ammonia until Sunday eveining.

Does anyone have any ideas on what i can do? I've I put too much ammionia in the tank i run the risk of stalling the cycle.

Thx,

Martyn

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Martyn,

Too much ammonia can stall the cycle, you are correct.

I can see only 2 solutions here.

1. Ask someone to add ammonia for you when you are gone.

or

2. Put lots of fish food or prawns or something similar into the tank whilst you are away. They will break down producing ammonia to keep your bacteria going while you are away.

No. 1 is by far the best solution, although not always possible for everyone.

Hope this helps you.

Cheers

BTT

 

[martyn413]

i had a thought of getting a feeding block thing from the store. Would it work?

Martyn

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yes and no, anything which releases ammonia into the water is fine, food will release ammonia, however feeding blocks are renowned for releasing loads at once and manking up your water. i would suspect that by adding a feeding block your likley to go over 8ppm of ammonia and stall the cycle.

if there's no one you can trust to add the 5ppm of ammonia, would it be possible for someone to drop a small pinch of flake food in each day? that way it's much more controlled. it may set your cycle back a couple of days but it shouldn't stall entirley.

if that's not possible then you can buy automatic feeders where you set a timer, it has a reservoir for food and you just set it to drop some in each day.

 

[martyn413]

Well guys and girls,

I added a tablespoon of ammonia and some catfish pelits and hoped for the best. Got back really late last night and tested the tank and the stats were:

Ammonia 0ppm and nitires was 2. I added more ammonia (tablespoon).

This morning the ammonia was 2ppm and nitrite was 2-4.

Regards,

Martyn

 

[Miss Wiggle]

well the fact that the nitrite has risen indicates that the ammonia is still being processed, so it hasn't completely crashed which is always good. just have to see after a few full days results where you are in the process.

 

[martyn413]

I'm pleased about that.

I can't wait to see that tank when i eventully put fish in. Once my tank has cycled i will test the ph and see what fish are compatiable.

Regards,
Martyn

 

[martyn413]

I tested the tank last night and water stats were:
ammonia 1
Nitrite 1

I added more ammonia then tested at 11:55pm
ammonia 4-5ppm

This morning:
ammonia 1ppm
nitrite 0.50

Can someone tell me when i should add more ammonia please as i'm slighly confused when to do so?

Thx so much.

Martyn

 

[Miss Wiggle]

every 24hrs top it back up to 4/5ppm

so if you added ammonia at 11 last night, then add again at 11 tonight.

 

[martyn413]

thank you so much MW

 

[Miss Wiggle]

no probs

 

[martyn413]

Hi all,

My cycle is getting there. I added ammonia at 10pm last night. Tested the water at 9am and the stats were:

ammonia 2ppm
nitrite was between .25 and .50 but the liquide went a lighter colour after a few more minutes.

My cycle is almost complete so i am a little bit worried that the nitrite is low yet there is still ammonia to be processed.

Martyn

 

[rabbut]

It will get there, just be patient. It could just be that the ammonia eating bacteria wen't getting enough ammonia in your abscence and have died back a little. They will multiply and grow back again. The nitrite eating bacteria are fine, as you had a large build-up of nitrite to keep them going

 

[martyn413]

Hi all,

I forgot to add the ammonia on time last night so the previous nitght it went in at 10pm and last night it was 11.20pm.

Tested the tank this morning and:
ammonia 0.50
nitrite 0.50
I tested the water at 8am so i think the tank is processing both ammonia and nitrite in 12 hours. gonna keep adding ammonia for a few more days.

I've waited this long whats another few days?

I still haven't decided on the fish i want. Gonna test the ph once the tank has cycled to get fish then see what fish are compatible.

Martyn

 

[martyn413]

Almost into my 7th week of cycling.

Added ammonia at 11.10pm last night and tested this morning at 11.10am and the stats were

ammonia 1ppm
nitrite started a bit purple .25 the went a blue colour but not as blue as 0ppm
tested nitrites last night and they were quite high
ph has now dropped to 7.4

It's taking ages and getting a bit boring now. Need to get enthusiastic again.

Martyn