Has My Cycle Stalled?

[steve_b21]

I been doing a fishless cycle on my tank for nearly 3 MONTHS , the nitrite dropped a few days ago to .25, i have continued to add ammonia and checking nitrite which has been at 1 for the last few days.

I have just checked the PH and the reading is 6.4, is this ok?

The Nitrites were off the chart for about a month, and then suddenly fell to 1, however i thought once the level falls, your are more or less cycled.... not sure why it dont drop to 0

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Steve,

PH 6.4 should be ok, however if you are concerned that your cycle has stalled, do a 50% water change to raise the PH (assuming that your tap water has a higher PH?).

Don't worry your nitrite hasn't went to 0, it may just take a few days, and as i said if you're worried it's stalled a water change should kickstart it again.

Not long to go!!

BTT

 

[steve_b21]

arrrgghh so fustrating! this has to be the longest fishless cycle ever! started on the 24 october, 3 months and counting.....

 

[backtotropical]

arrrgghh so fustrating! this has to be the longest fishless cycle ever! started on the 24 october, 3 months and counting.....

Yeah, you've been unlucky this time. Chin up though mate, nearly there..........

 

[Matty P]

arrrgghh so fustrating! this has to be the longest fishless cycle ever! started on the 24 october, 3 months and counting.....

Unlucky m8 - that is some wait. Well done being patient though.

 

[steve_b21]

Im assuming its taking so long because my tank is in a wall, and has very little oxygen surface being only 5" in depth..... waited 3 months, few more weeks wont hurt i guess

 

[Matty P]

What are the tanks dimensions?

 

[steve_b21]

What are the tanks dimensions?

Tank Dimmension : 47"W x 32"H (28" side and front) x 5"Depth
100 Litres of water

 

[backtotropical]

Im assuming its taking so long because my tank is in a wall, and has very little oxygen surface being only 5" in depth..... waited 3 months, few more weeks wont hurt i guess

I reckon thats the nail on the head. Have you tried increasing surface agitation?

It could prove to be a problem once you get fish.

 

[steve_b21]

I noticed that my Nitrites started to drop once i lifted the filter so it created more water movement.

I have got 1 air stone in there at the moment, should i put a few more in once tank is ready? what other kinds of methods could i use to increase surface movement?

 

[rdd1952]

The narrow tank could definitely be an issue. Did you run an airstone and raise the temp while cycling? In any case, I agree with backtotropical about the water change. Do that, add 2 or 3 ppm of ammonia again and everything should go back to zero in a day or less.

 

[Matty P]

Yeh you don't have a large surface area for that size of tank. As BTT said before this could prove to be a problem for fish, they may not get enough O2. You could try adding some air pumps which will help get some oxygen into the water and could speed up the cycling as well.

 

[steve_b21]

The narrow tank could definitely be an issue. Did you run an airstone and raise the temp while cycling? In any case, I agree with backtotropical about the water change. Do that, add 2 or 3 ppm of ammonia again and everything should go back to zero in a day or less.

Yes running a airstone since day one, and temp at 28 degrees.

I will try to do a water change tomorrow. Funny thing is ive ended up using a full bottle of ammonia.... need to pop back to homebase to get some more

 

[backtotropical]

A powerhead close to the surface with the outflow pointing towards the surface is the best way. This will create plenty surface movement which is the key to oxygenating the water.

The surface of the water should look something like this.

Does that explain it?

Cheers

BTT

 

[steve_b21]

Yes thats what I did, which in turn speeded up the Nitrite process.

Thing is i have to keep adjustin the top of the filter level. Due to evaporation, if the top of filter is too much above water level, the sound of water flowing out is too loud