Fishless Cycle

[MoreForMyMoor]

So its been about three weeks since I started my fishless cycling process. Everything was going fine and dandy until just recently. I have been raising the ammonia level to about 5ppm on a steady basis and the level would drop as expected just as the sticky implies. Now, in the third week, the test always shows a small trace of ammonia, around .5-1ppm, whenever I test the water. It refuses to drop back to 0.

What should I do?
Water change?
Keep adding ammonia?

You'll have been extremely helpful in the past and I trust your guidance regarding fish.
So please help a fellow out.

 

[mattlee]

have you tested the pH at all? this might have crashed too low for the bacteria to do their thing. i did a water change on mine to raise it back into the 7. something to kick start the cycle again

 

[KittyKat]

How often do you add ammonia? Have you got a log of readings since you stared the cycle? Got any nitrite? Nitrate?

 

[MoreForMyMoor]

have you tested the pH at all? this might have crashed too low for the bacteria to do their thing. i did a water change on mine to raise it back into the 7. something to kick start the cycle again

Thanks for the quick response!
However, I just tested my pH and it seems fine at around 7.5. So I dont think my pH crashed. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[mattlee]

have you tested the pH at all? this might have crashed too low for the bacteria to do their thing. i did a water change on mine to raise it back into the 7. something to kick start the cycle again

Thanks for the quick response!
However, I just tested my pH and it seems fine at around 7.5. So I dont think my pH crashed. Thanks for the suggestion though!

7.5 is fine so its not that then....

have you added the exact amount of ammonia to the tank than the rest of the cycle as even a slight increase will cause the bacteria to have to multiply enough to cope?

 

[MoreForMyMoor]

How often do you add ammonia? Have you got a log of readings since you stared the cycle? Got any nitrite? Nitrate?

And thanks for the response too!

I haven't kept an ammonia journal per say; I just waited until the ammonia level reached 0 before adding anymore to the tank. However, I just tested my nitrite and nitrate levels and got some reading I haven't gotten before; the nitrite is flat at 0 ppm and the nitrate is at a ridiculously high crimson color.

Should I be getting my hopes up? Could my tank possibly be cycled? Or is this a cruel joke?

 

[MoreForMyMoor]

have you tested the pH at all? this might have crashed too low for the bacteria to do their thing. i did a water change on mine to raise it back into the 7. something to kick start the cycle again

Thanks for the quick response!
However, I just tested my pH and it seems fine at around 7.5. So I dont think my pH crashed. Thanks for the suggestion though!

7.5 is fine so its not that then....

have you added the exact amount of ammonia to the tank than the rest of the cycle as even a slight increase will cause the bacteria to have to multiply enough to cope?

Well, I found the correct amount of ammonia to raise my entire tank to 4-5ppm. I'm using the sticky on fishless cycling found in this board as my guide. I had nitrite readings about a week ago though so the bacteria was transforming.

 

[anon02]

If you dont keep a comprehensive log it is impossible to look back and be able to assess what stage your cycle is at

The way most members prove that their filter is cycled is to keep adding 5ppm ammonia at the usual add hour and testing both ammonia and nitrite at 0ppm at the 12 hour stage, for about a week consecutively

 

[waterdrop]

It sounds like you may sometimes be adding another dose of 5ppm ammonia within less than 24 hours from the previous one, do you think that's ever been the case? WD

 

[MoreForMyMoor]

It sounds like you may sometimes be adding another dose of 5ppm ammonia within less than 24 hours from the previous one, do you think that's ever been the case? WD

Thanks for the response WD. Sorry it's been awhile since I've responded.

I don't think it's a matter of adding too much ammonia; I add 5-6ml to my 20 gallon tank every time the ammonia level falls to 0. I'm trying not to be overzealous in my additions. But now, about a month in, I always have trace amounts of ammonia (over 1ppm) hanging around in my tank. Last time I did a 25% water change and that immediately reduced the levels, but I think that would obviously happen anyways, but I'm not satisfied with this method. I haven't kept a comprehensive log (I know a cardinal sin), so I'm thinking about starting it all over again. Sigh.

Any clue what's going on?

 

[fluttermoth]

I wouldn't start again just yet. It could be that your high nitrates have stalled the cycle; do a few water changes (or one big one!) to get those down a bit and see how it goes then.

What temp is the tank at? You might try turning it up to 86°F (34°C) if it's lower.

 

[mattlee]

It sounds like you may sometimes be adding another dose of 5ppm ammonia within less than 24 hours from the previous one, do you think that's ever been the case? WD

Thanks for the response WD. Sorry it's been awhile since I've responded.

I don't think it's a matter of adding too much ammonia; I add 5-6ml to my 20 gallon tank every time the ammonia level falls to 0. I'm trying not to be overzealous in my additions. But now, about a month in, I always have trace amounts of ammonia (over 1ppm) hanging around in my tank. Last time I did a 25% water change and that immediately reduced the levels, but I think that would obviously happen anyways, but I'm not satisfied with this method. I haven't kept a comprehensive log (I know a cardinal sin), so I'm thinking about starting it all over again. Sigh.

Any clue what's going on?

5-6 ml of ammonia for a 20G tank is a bit too much isnt it? you need to be adding about 4-5ml maximum of ammonia to get to 5ppm in your tank

 

[MoreForMyMoor]

It sounds like you may sometimes be adding another dose of 5ppm ammonia within less than 24 hours from the previous one, do you think that's ever been the case? WD

Thanks for the response WD. Sorry it's been awhile since I've responded.

I don't think it's a matter of adding too much ammonia; I add 5-6ml to my 20 gallon tank every time the ammonia level falls to 0. I'm trying not to be overzealous in my additions. But now, about a month in, I always have trace amounts of ammonia (over 1ppm) hanging around in my tank. Last time I did a 25% water change and that immediately reduced the levels, but I think that would obviously happen anyways, but I'm not satisfied with this method. I haven't kept a comprehensive log (I know a cardinal sin), so I'm thinking about starting it all over again. Sigh.

Any clue what's going on?

5-6 ml of ammonia for a 20G tank is a bit too much isnt it? you need to be adding about 4-5ml maximum of ammonia to get to 5ppm in your tank

Oh, you think so? Okay, I'll start reducing the amount to 4-5ml. Thanks.

 

[MoreForMyMoor]

I wouldn't start again just yet. It could be that your high nitrates have stalled the cycle; do a few water changes (or one big one!) to get those down a bit and see how it goes then.

What temp is the tank at? You might try turning it up to 86°F (34°C) if it's lower.

Thanks. I'll start doing some small water changes to reduce the nitrate level, then I'll add in the ammonia.

My tank is around 80°F at the moment. I'll turn the heat up a little bit. Appreciate the help!

 

[Aqua Tom]

Well I know for a fact that 48 litres or 10 ish gallons is 2.1ml of ammonia, So you should only be adding 4.2 at the most.