I Think My Cycle Stalled

[wlaukaitis]

Hello!

I have my tank in mid cycle, it is a 30 US gallon tank and I figured out the amount to get it to about 5 PPM of ammonia, about 22 ml. This is sort of a condensed version.

The ammonia stayed high for about 11 days, then it started to do down. I started to test for nitrite and it was on its way up. About a day after the nitrite started to rise, the ammonia was 0. I added about 20 ml to the water and it came back up to about 5ppm.

The next day (18 hours or so) the ammonia was 0 again and the nitrites were super-high. I bought the nitrate kit and the test came back as 0.

a day later the ammonia was 0 so I added enough for 3-4 ppm. Now the ammonia is kind of staying there and not moving. My nitrites are 0 (after the 5 mins) and nitrate IS 10 (as of last night)

it has been about 18 days and I am concerned that it stalled.

I bought the tank used and cleaned it (and the filter) with non-iodized salt

**I have a bio-wheel 330 (yes it is running but the wheels don't turn the way I'd like) the filter packs are new, and 3 plants (plastic/nylon) maybe 3", 6" and 8" or so. The gravel is about 1/8" to 1/4" in diameter. I did add about 3 gallons of water at about 13 days, I did not de-chlorinize it though, that did not seem to effect the cycle (at the time)

Is it possilbe I do not have enough surface area (plants, filter media, gravel) for the amount of bacteria that I need? Am I spkining the ammonia too high (maybe I should go 3 ppm)

Bill

 

[rdd1952]

What is your pH? Nitrifying bacteria reprduction slows severely as pH gets lower. At about 6.0 and below, reproduction stops and the bacteria may go dormant too. I would suggest a large water change and then raise the ammonia back up. What type ammonia are you using? That seems like way too muh ammonia for a 30 gallon tank. I only use about 1ml per 5 gallon of water to raise mine to 5ppm. 22ml in my 29 gallon would put my ammonia at close to 20ppm.

 

[wlaukaitis]

Hi and thanks

The PH is now 6, interesting because it was about 7.5 when I started this whole thing. The nitrite is about .25 and the ammonia is about 4-5ppm. I thought that 22 was high as well. When I was supposed to add 1/2 when the ammonia dropped, 11 ml barely got me to 2.0

So, I will do a 50% (do you think more maybe??) tomorrow and add 11 ml and I'll report back..

Thank for the help and info

Bill

 

[afishdude]

is this pure ammonia your adding?

 

[wlaukaitis]

Hi

it says:


Water, aqua ammonia, surfactant

does not say what the percentage is, I bought it at a dollar store


I am sure it is OK because I went to another store and shook a bottle (it was colored so I was not going to get it anyway) and it bubbled like selzer water, this stuff does not=.

 

[Dark Wolf]

Hi

it says:


Water, aqua ammonia, surfactant

does not say what the percentage is, I bought it at a dollar store


I am sure it is OK because I went to another store and shook a bottle (it was colored so I was not going to get it anyway) and it bubbled like selzer water, this stuff does not=.

I'm no expert, but i'm pretty sure that having surfacant is bad news for you, and the wrong type of ammonia to be using

 

[backtotropical]

Yeah, wrong stuff. Surfactant is no good. I think you need to start again. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Ideally you want a solution which contains only water and ammonia. Chleating agents (not sure if i spelled that correctly) are ok, but no surfactants, dyes etc.

A good test if you're not sure is to shake the bottle. If you get bubbles and foam on top, its no good. It should settle almost immediately , like water would.

Hope this helps.

edit: just read back, you did that test. Maybe best to try to get one with ingredients so you can be sure, now you know what you need.

 

[Dark Wolf]

Yeah, that sucks, espeically considering how far in you had gone. My advice would be (depending on where you live) is to ask other people what ammonia they got, i.e. what's it called and what is the brand name, then you know that the stuff you will get is the right stuff.

If you're in the UK, Jeyes 'Kleen off' ammonia, is the right kind. Not sure about US though, sorry.

Try not to be too down about it, and please don't be tempted to do a fish in cycle, it will eventually just lead to unwanted stress and upset.

 

[Rooster]

Game over I'm afraid ! You are going to have to drain it, clean EVERYTHING and start afresh... It sucks, but at least nothings dead !
Everyone makes a mistake sometime, and not just noobs..... hat off for putting your hand up !
Keep at it, its well worth the wait.

 

[wlaukaitis]

oh well

I guess even though it passed the shake test, the ammonia is no good. Then maybe the sticky should be editied to reflect that even if you pick up a bottle and shake it, it may not be the stuff you want.

I am going away I'll start again next weekend.

Thanks!