What Should I Do?

[ladymaverick]

You'd think that coming back after 16 years, I'd be able to cope with a wee bit more waiting before I get my fish.

My tank was filled and treated with Prime and has been cycling for 10 days now. Initial ammonia came from decaying plant matter which was removed then the tank tested and doused to 4ppm. However it has stubbornly remained around 4ppm. I've not had to add any further ammonia.

I've raised the temp from 25 to 30 degrees and increased surface agitation to help the bacteria.

I would think that after 10 days I would see some movement in the ammonia level.

So what do I do now? Compete water change and start over? Partial water change? Wait some more?

Having always done fish-in cycling in the past, I'm determined to be more humane in my set-up but I'm getting frustrated!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

It's normal to not see a change for 10 days, you're not at the point to start worrying yet

It can easily take two weeks so give it a little more time

 

[ladymaverick]

"Just give me a little more time,
And my levels will surely go..."

Sorry, this popped into my head.

Thanks for the prompt response AA. I'll sit it out a little longer.

*Crosses fingers and keeps hoping*

 

[ladymaverick]

Without anthropomorphising these bacteria too much, I think they know exactly how far to push me.

I'm pretty sure that my ammonia has dropped to 2ppm.

And just out of excitement, I tested my nitrites and nitrates again. Nitrites, previously 3ppm, are definitely 0 and nitrates are probably around 30ppm (red but still with a hint of orange).

Fingers crossed things are moving now!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

lol, nice! Good luck!

 

[Blue Diamond]

What is your ph at , the more acidic the water the faster the cycle , trying raising the ph to 8.5 with some bicarb if its low.

 

[ladymaverick]

pH is 6.4, partly because of bogwood in the tank, partly because I'm in NE Scotland where the water is naturally soft and acidic.

Pushing it above 8 would be a big jump. How easily is this maintained?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

It's a PITA but you only need to maintain it for the duration of the cycle. Just add bicarbonate of soda 1 tbsp at a time until you've slowly raised the pH. You'll have to keep checking it and adding more bicarb though. Your pH is quite low for cycling.

 

[ladymaverick]

Then just check daily and add more bicarb as necessary?

Sounds like a plan, since I'll be doing a nitrate-clearing water change before I add fish.

Given the size of the jump, should I do it gradually or will the existing bacteria core with a single big leap?

 

[Essjay]

What is your ph at , the more acidic the water the faster the cycle , trying raising the ph to 8.5 with some bicarb if its low.

Just to avoid confusion, pH 8.5 and the pH the bacteria grow fastest in is alkaline not acidic. Acidic is below 7.0, like ladymaverick's water supply at 6.4.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Yeah just do it slowly over...several hours I'd think until you reach 8.0. then Try and maintain it!

 

[ladymaverick]

That'll be this weekend's project after I've tidied up the plants then.

Thanks guys.

 

[ladymaverick]

Life got in the way and I didn't get a chance to do the bicarb.

However, tonight ammonia tested zero finally so it's now topped up to 3ppm.

Finally feeling like I'm nearly there.