cycling problem

stan22 · 09-28-2008, 04:41 PM

Hi i have been cycling my tank for 11 days now and everything was going well till yesterday my nitrite levels were high now they have fell and stopped going up, is this a problem ?

I put in a few plants last night could that be the problem ?

I have a 89 gallon tank i am doing a fishless cycle using biomature as a source of ammonia my current readings to date are as follows-
Day 1- ammonia 1 ppm, nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate 0 ppm
Day 2- ammonia 1 ppm, nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate 0 ppm
Day 3- ammonia 2 ppm, nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate 0 ppm
Day 4- ammonia 2 ppm, nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate 0 ppm
Day 5- ammonia 3 ppm, nitrite 0.05 ppm, nitrate 0 ppm
Day 6- ammonia 3 ppm, nitrite 0.5 ppm, nitrate 0 ppm
Day 7- ammonia 3 ppm, nitrite 0.5 ppm, nitrate 5 ppm
Day 8- Missed
Day 9- ammonia 3-5 ppm, nitrite 5 ppm, nitrate 15 ppm
Day 10- ammonia 5 ppm, nitrite 5 ppm, nitrate 25 ppm
Late Day 10- ammonia 5 ppm, nitrite 1 ppm, nitrate 25 ppm
Day 11- ammonia 5 ppm, nitrite 1 ppm, nitrate 25 ppm

Any help would be great thanks

Judge · 09-28-2008, 04:53 PM

I believe this is quite normal and in fact expected. Nitrite should dissipate and the Nitrate should rise. When ammonia reaches 0 then monitor for a few days and see if the ammonia/nitrite stay at 0. If so do at least a 25% water change. I would continue to test and watch for a few more days and then I think if all stays the same then you will be safe to begin SLOWLY adding a fish or two.
Congratulations Stan...I think you've almost made it, and without harming any fish! Good for you. We are now looking forward to some pic's.

stan22 · 09-28-2008, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the help how long should it take for my ammonia to drop to zero from 5 ppm ?

RJRofFL · 09-28-2008, 06:01 PM

Hi stan22.

Forgive me for jumping in here.

I agree with Judge that it appears the cycle is progressing. But, I am a little troubled with the readings you have posted, and I think you will have to make an adjustment.

As I stated in my original post to you earlier, the cycling should progress with ammonia dropping as NitrItes increase, and subsequently the NitrIte should drop as NitrAtes increase. This is clearly not happening here, since the ammonia seems to be increasing.

As I also stated previously, I don't know if we have this product in the US, but I did attempt to research it to find it was not bacteria, but a source of ammonia with minerals. If you could perhaps double check the instructions and advise it would be helpful.

However, I am also quite certain in the Article/Video I recommended, you will see that the suggested dosage AFTER the notice of NitrItes should be cut in half, and continued.

It appears to me, since the ammonia is increasing, it is somewhat overpowering the beneficial bacteria that "eats" it. And I think this will either stall or otherwise effect the cycle.

I would suggest that you lower whatever dosage you are now doing to 1/2. This should make the ammonia "manageable" to be consummed, and the cycle should continue as has been described.

Continue to test and monitor and you should see your ammonia drop as NitrItes increase and eventually go to zero and the NitrItes decrease when NitrAtes increase with the NitrItes eventually falling to zero. I hopoe I have made this relatively clear. If not, please advise and I'll attempt to clarify further.

The plants will probably have a slight effect on the NitrAte readings but the cycle should proceed as well.

Keep us informed.

Thanks

Bob

stan22 · 09-28-2008, 06:21 PM

Thanks bob i will leave it till tomorrow and do another test and let use know what the test results show.

Once again thanks for the help it is very much appreciated

stan22 · 09-29-2008, 08:00 PM

Hi I have just done the latest test my nitrite levels have went back up the results are:
ammonia- 5 ppm
nitrite- 5 ppm
nitrate- 25 ppm

I have not added any source of ammonia (biomature).

should i just stop adding it at the moment till i see the ammonia make a drop ?

Thanks stan

stan22 · 09-30-2008, 09:25 AM

Ok Tommy thanks is 5 ppm a good level to try and stick to then ?

I will just sit back and be patient if i can

What resources where you referring to ?

Thanks again

Stan

stan22 · 09-30-2008, 07:41 PM

Thanks for the help tommy will look at the articles you mentioned