Stalled Cycle Or Am I Being Impatient?

[cryslea]

I started a fishless cycle almost two weeks ago (okay, 13 days). I'm using the "add and wait" method.

FYI: My tap water has 0 nitrites and about 5ppm nitrates. I'm using an API master test kit. Also, I know my cycle might take a bit longer as I didn't have any seed material.

August 27-September 1: Ammonia 4ppm. I tested for Nitrites for the first time on September 1: between .25 and .5ppm.

September 4: Ammonia maybe dropping? Hard to differentiate between 2ppm and 4ppm. Nitrites .5ppm. Nitrates 5ppm.

September 5-8: Ammonia: between 2-4ppm;

September 8: Nitrites: between .25 and .5; Nitrates: between 5-10; PH: 7.2 (I only checked PH because I've read a low PH can cause the cycle to stall)

So, I know my tank must be cycling since I've got SOME nitrites. I'm just SO TIRED of not really seeing any change in the ammonia. It has possibly gone down 2ppm over the fortnight, but since I have such a hard time reading those stupid cards. I just feel frustrated that the both the Ammonia AND the Nitrites really haven't changed in a week.

I'm going somewhere that has a HOB filter tomorrow; it has those cartridge style filters, so I don't know how I can take any filter material. Could I take my filter with me and put it in the tank for a couple of hours? Would that help at all, or just run too much risk of killing what little bacteria I have?

 

[Doll]

No advice but I sympathize. I'm beginning to hate green too.

 

[doresy]

Hi, probably not a good Idea to move your filter.

I would bring your ammonia level back up to 5ppm.

All set ups are different but as you started with virgin media it is bound to take a little longer.

Turning up the temperature to 90F will help things along (if you have an air pump use that also)

Try to be patient, it can take several weeks sometimes for things to really get going.......also bear in mind that once ammonia is being processes to zero the nitrites will take twice as long to do the same..........sorry!

 

[Underwurlde]

When did you start cycling?

Bargain on 4 - 5 weeks. Maybe longer, maybe shorter. Not an exact science really, but yeah patience is a virtue here....

 

[cryslea]

Yeah, I figured I was being impatient. It's just frustrating to see NOTHING CHANGE for a week.

I started on August 27th, so it's been two weeks.

I'll add a bit of ammonia, and see if that helps some.

Thanks all!

 

[Underwurlde]

Don't forget the colonizing bacteria that eat ammonia into nitrite grow (reproduce?) faster than the colonizing bacteria that munch nitrite into nitrate (by a factor of about two I believe). This is why things appear to stall.

Andy

 

[HurleyInferno]

Yeah, I figured I was being impatient. It's just frustrating to see NOTHING CHANGE for a week.

I started on August 27th, so it's been two weeks.

I'll add a bit of ammonia, and see if that helps some.

Thanks all!

I started cycling my tank the same day as you. I've seen my ammonia drop after 2 days, and stay constant ever since, i've been adding ammonia when it drops down tho. My nitrites are starting to rise at a startling rate though lol. just be patient

 

[rdd1952]

First, I wouldn't remove your filter to take it to the other tank. If you trust that the other tank is disease free, then ask them to give you some of their media. If they can give you 1/4th of it, it wouldn't have any negative effect on their bacteria (they could actually give you up to half of it without any problem as the remaining bacteria would double in 24 hours to replenish it's quantity) but it would definitely give you a jump start.

As for your current situation, what temp is the tank set at? In 2 weeks, your ammonia should be dropping back from 4 ppm to 0 in about 12 hours. If your water temp is in the upper 80s to low 90s and still nothing is happening, I would do a large water change (75 to 90 percent) and start over (don't bother the filter other than to turn it off while you do the WC and turn it back on when you're finished). Just be sure to use dechlor. That should get it going again. Of course the media from the other tank would be the best course of action.

 

[HurleyInferno]

First, I wouldn't remove your filter to take it to the other tank. If you trust that the other tank is disease free, then ask them to give you some of their media. If they can give you 1/4th of it, it wouldn't have any negative effect on their bacteria (they could actually give you up to half of it without any problem as the remaining bacteria would double in 24 hours to replenish it's quantity) but it would definitely give you a jump start.

As for your current situation, what temp is the tank set at? In 2 weeks, your ammonia should be dropping back from 4 ppm to 0 in about 12 hours. If your water temp is in the upper 80s to low 90s and still nothing is happening, I would do a large water change (75 to 90 percent) and start over (don't bother the filter other than to turn it off while you do the WC and turn it back on when you're finished). Just be sure to use dechlor. That should get it going again. Of course the media from the other tank would be the best course of action.

I thought every tank was different though? For example my tank processed the ammonia relatively quickly to start but there were no nitrites? Now it's taking a little long but my nitrites are really starting to jump. I add ammonia when it gets to 1 or 2 so i never see it drop to zero. should i start waiting til zero after two 12 days?

 

[rdd1952]

Every tank is indeed different. Some cycle quicker than others. I would wait until the ammonia drops all the way to zero before adding more. But after 12 days, the filter should be able to process about 4 ppm in 12 hours or less. And you said your nitrites were rising fast. After 12 days, the nitrite should be off the chart to the point that you can't tell if it's rising or not. You should be able to see the nitrates riding though.

 

[cryslea]

My tank is at 82... Sounds like the problem is that my tank isn't warm enough, then? I've turned the heat up a bit. Having done that, how long should I wait to see a change in my levels before I try doing a water change?

Also, I looked at the other tank's filter, but I have no idea how to take media from it. It's one of those HOB filter cartridges; you know, the kind that have plastic all the way around? Sort of like this. They don't look like the come apart. Am I just missing something?

 

[rdd1952]

That particular type of filter is easy to take media from (I have those filters on 2 tanks). Just take the top clip off, slide out the plastic thing and pour the media out. That is how you replace the carbon (if you use it, most people don't). Raising the temp should help speed things up but it won't hurt to do the water change anyway. The bacteria are on the filter so you won't harm what you already have.

 

[cryslea]

I'm glad I asked, then! I could not for the life of me figure out how to take media from it. I feel a bit silly now. When I take some of the media out, do I transport it home (about 20 minutes) in some tank water to prevent bacteria die off?

I'll do the water change, too.

Thanks for your help! It's so great to have so many helpful, knowledgeable people answering what must be rather tiresome and repetitive newbie questions.

 

[HurleyInferno]

After twelves days of cycling. My ammonia which was at 1 this morning is now at 4 ppm cuz i added some today. My Nitrites are at 5 and my Nitrate is at 5. Progress?