Tank Cycle Going Nowhere Is This Right?

[markandjanice]

question all

ive been cycling my 140 litre tank for a week now, it has no fish in it, fully rigged with gravel, dechlor water, plastic biorb plants, slate, one piece or bogwood, i used recommended immonia (kleen off from ebay), its 39x12x17", i'm usin an inline hydor heater 300w set at a temp of 30 and a tetratec ex1200 filter (suitable for 200-500 litres)

my results from the first day of testing to present (one week on are as follow)

PH = 7.6
AMMONIA = 4.0
NITRITE = 0.0
NITRATE = 0.0
TEMP = 30.3

my filter has full media in it link here: http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/tetratec-ex1200-external-filter-p-1415.html

just doesnt seem to be going anywhere, just doesnt seem to be doin anything?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

You did dechlorinate the water?

It will take a little while to see any nitrites being produced, I would not start to panick unless it was status quo afte 3 weeks.

 

[markandjanice]

You did dechlorinate the water?

It will take a little while to see any nitrites being produced, I would not start to panick unless it was status quo afte 3 weeks.

ok thats fine, yes i used declor water

 

[Electric Warrior]

I have been cycling my new 200L for exactly a week today, and like you, I have the exact same results. My ammonia seems to be at about 3 or 3.5 now though. Just takes time I sometimes.

 

[phoenixgsd]

mine took 4 months to cycle, patience is the key

 

[RossC]

Every cycle is different I've had tanks complete in one month and one take 3, just keep thinking about all those new fish you'll be getting

 

[markandjanice]

Every cycle is different I've had tanks complete in one month and one take 3, just keep thinking about all those new fish you'll be getting

yeh no probs Ross, just want to make sure its right, am brand new to this so just want to make sure i do it 100% right, ive got a little tank which pets at home advised me on ie: put fish in afta 3 days and its utter madness now gettin water right, doin water changes every other day and the poor fish are most likely stressed so doesn't make me feel good

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I agree with El Goat

At the very beginning you start to think nothing is ever going to happen and then it gets going and a little while after that you start to think that the nitrite will never drop and finally it plummets all of the sudden

 

[phoenixgsd]

140 lts isnt that small, correct me if im wrong you say your using keen off ammonia, then you say you have fish in the tank, is that right? if so, either stop using ammonia and do a complete water change as fish will produce there own ammonia and do a fish in cycle or rehome the fish and carry on with dosing ammonia and do a fishless cycle, if you decide to do a fish in cycle turn your heater down 30 is a bit high, what fish and how many do you have?

 

[Mauigirl]

A week is getting your feet wet.
Post your tests here. If in2.5-3 we haven't had a breakthrough then id be worried.
All is good.
Reread the sticky and go look at your future inmates.

You are doing fine

 

[markandjanice]

140 lts isnt that small, correct me if im wrong you say your using keen off ammonia, then you say you have fish in the tank, is that right? if so, either stop using ammonia and do a complete water change as fish will produce there own ammonia and do a fish in cycle or rehome the fish and carry on with dosing ammonia and do a fishless cycle, if you decide to do a fish in cycle turn your heater down 30 is a bit high, what fish and how many do you have?

phoenix, no fish mate and yes kleenoff! i have a small 28litre tank and pets at home said after 3 days put fish in now its all ova place etc and having to do water changes, this tank i want to cycle correctly having been through the forum seeking advice.

i am going to keep rummynose, cardinals and cherry barbs mate in my 140 litre tank.

in my 28litre tank i have 4 platties which have supposidly adapted to the awful water conditions they were subjected too, i was told they will adapt but put no more in until its sorted...just seems cruel

 

[phoenixgsd]

Ahhh ok, youve two tanks one 140lt as in your original post and the small 28lt with 4 patties in, for one minuite there i thought you were putting ammonia in the tank with the fish

 

[markandjanice]

Ahhh ok, youve two tanks one 140lt as in your original post and the small 28lt with 4 patties in, for one minuite there i thought you were putting ammonia in the tank with the fish

no not on my fishless bigger tank

listen while were on bout my little tank with platties these are my results as of now! i am due if i am to continue to do a small water change again, as instructed by my LFS, i do this every other day:

TODAYS RESULTS:

PH - 7.6
AMMONIA - 0.0
NITRITE - 0.0
NITRATE - 10.0

is this good and should i do water change again now, and the continue every other day???

ps: this is my big tank cycling, sorry video sideways: http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C9YtmlkLh0

 

[phoenixgsd]

how long have you had the small tank? if your using a liquid based test kit those readings are good

 

[markandjanice]

how long have you had the small tank? if your using a liquid based test kit those readings are good

api freshwater mate so its a good one

erm its been running just over a month, problem was a LFS said afta 3 days put fish in, wrong advice basically as i now know, so am doin water changes every other day and feeding fish every other day in between! ive been doin this for two weeks now feel awful on fish but a better LFS SAID they can adapt