Has My Cycle Stalled?

[mp7125]

In my last topic I mentioned that my fishless cycle seem to be complete as ammonia was dropping nicely back to 0 in about 16 hours, nitrite was registering as 0 and nitrate at 10. My only problem was I was going away for 2 days and I arranged for somebody to come and top up the ammonia to ensure the bacteria wouldn’t die off.

They toped up yesterday at 7pm, however, on my return today I chekced at midday and also again and the ammonia seem to be stuck on 2ppm. Has my cycle stalled or could it be something else? What can I do?

 

[dthoffsett]

I had that happen on my 75gallon when I cycled it. I have no explination for why it happens, but on mine it went to 0 ammonia & nitrite for 3-4 days and then ammonia popped up again. It took about a week for the ammonia to drop and stay at 0. That's why I always recommend waiting a week before adding fish after you think your cycle is done.

 

[doresy]

Had the same thing after 4 weeks of cycling.

Ammonia was going from 5 to zero in 12 hours. NitrIte was coming down to 2 after spiking. NitrAte up around 40.

I went away for the weekend and had a trusted neighbour come in to put in the daily ammonia.

When I came back ammonia was stuck on 2 and nitrIte had disappeared completely.

It stayed like that for 3 days (without adding ammonia.)

Eventually I did a complete water change, added a dose of ammonia and off we went again.

Happily, now 2 weeks later almost there.....again!

 

[mp7125]

Had the same thing after 4 weeks of cycling.

Ammonia was going from 5 to zero in 12 hours. NitrIte was coming down to 2 after spiking. NitrAte up around 40.

I went away for the weekend and had a trusted neighbour come in to put in the daily ammonia.

When I came back ammonia was stuck on 2 and nitrIte had disappeared completely.

It stayed like that for 3 days (without adding ammonia.)

Eventually I did a complete water change, added a dose of ammonia and off we went again.

Happily, now 2 weeks later almost there.....again!

Thank you doresy and dthoffsett for your comments. I'll check again tonight and the in the morning and if ammonia hasn't gone down then I guess water change it'll have to be. This fishless cycling is a true test of patience.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Had the same thing after 4 weeks of cycling.

Ammonia was going from 5 to zero in 12 hours. NitrIte was coming down to 2 after spiking. NitrAte up around 40.

I went away for the weekend and had a trusted neighbour come in to put in the daily ammonia.

When I came back ammonia was stuck on 2 and nitrIte had disappeared completely.

It stayed like that for 3 days (without adding ammonia.)

Eventually I did a complete water change, added a dose of ammonia and off we went again.

Happily, now 2 weeks later almost there.....again!

Are you STILL cycling doresy Maybe you should enter the Tour De France next year. You're certainly more patient than me!

 

[doresy]

Had the same thing after 4 weeks of cycling.

Ammonia was going from 5 to zero in 12 hours. NitrIte was coming down to 2 after spiking. NitrAte up around 40.

I went away for the weekend and had a trusted neighbour come in to put in the daily ammonia.

When I came back ammonia was stuck on 2 and nitrIte had disappeared completely.

It stayed like that for 3 days (without adding ammonia.)

Eventually I did a complete water change, added a dose of ammonia and off we went again.

Happily, now 2 weeks later almost there.....again!

Are you STILL cycling doresy Maybe you should enter the Tour De France next year. You're certainly more patient than me!





Yes I am!!!!

Tour De France? oh yes VERY good

Poxy little 34lt fry tank......they are almost full grown now.

Like I said, it stalled.....well twice actually