Lost in cycle..

[Fluffles]

Hi guys,

Thanks for having me! I kept fish before but received media from another tank so never had to cycle from scratch.
I started cycling last summer (using ammonia) and got pretty close (after some time) to being cycled but then we had some deaths in the family so I basically abandoned my task. I just added 4mls ammonia most days.

I'm back at it now and tested using my API kit this morning. My readings were Ph-8.0, Nitrites-0, Nitrates-0 and Ammonia was off the charts, inky blue.

Do I do a good 80% water change and test again or what?

Thank you for any advice.

 

[Oblio]

Welcome to TFF!

Size of tank, filter and media?

What (if anything) is in the tank at this time?

Is the top open (so bacteria can get in)?


Have you read this?

Cycle Your Tank! A Complete Guide For Beginners

Fishless cycling https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/ Silent or plant cycling https://www.fishforums.net/threads/planted-silent-cycling.470400/ Fish-in cycling...

www.fishforums.net

 

[Rocky998]

Definitely do a big water change. Most people just add 3ppm of ammonia (I'm adding just under 3mls of ammonia to get to 3ppm in my 20 gallon)... So I'd try to get the ammonia down to 2-3ppm and then follow the cycling steps on the forum... I will find it and copy/paste it here.

 

[Rocky998]

While I was typing someone else already posted the cycling instructions. So you can use that

 

[Slaphppy7]

Welcome to TFF

Last summer?....I think I would drain the tank, and start over

 

[Fluffles]

Thanks so much guys! Its a 105ltr tank. There are no fish in it yet.

I'll have a right read but probably drain it and refill.

 

[Essjay]

The time to cycle a tank is before there are fish in the tank, either a fishless cycle by adding ammonia or a plant/silent cycle involving fast growing plants. The fact that your ammonia is sky high with no nitrite or nitrate suggests the tank is now not cycled, even if it was last year.

 

[Fluffles]

Yeah I ruined any progress made, and I was so close! I drained 80% of the water and replaced (using Prime of course) and left it overnight.
Today's readings were PH-8.0, Ammonia-3.0, Nitrites-0 (I had a nice amount before I messed up) and Nitrates-60
I'll check tomorrow and here I go again! Thanks guys.

 

[Essjay]

Leave the ammonia at 3 ppm, and follow these instructions

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!

Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...

www.fishforums.net

Too much ammonia grows the wrong species of ammonia eaters. And when it's converted into nitrite, too much nitrite stalls the cycle. The method on here was written so that there is never too much ammonia, and nitrite can't get high enough to stall the cycle