Cycling-is this normal?

[joltibo]

I'm in the 3rd week of fish-less cycling, the ammonia has not dropped yet from 4ppm, bubbles are running, temp is at 83 F,
The water is super cloudy and brownish algae is starting to form on the gravel
Should I do something
It's my 2nd tank, the first one never did that

 

[joltibo]

Anyone?

 

[apr28]

Check your nitrates. They may be really high.

 

[joltibo]

No nitrates at all

 

[joltibo]

No nitrites or nitrates since the ammo never dropped (or is starting to...)

 

[Hobgob]

If your ammonia isn't dropping and never did you shouldn't have nitrates. What is your ph at? Is the bottle of ammonia bubble if you shake it up?

 

[joltibo]

Ph around 7.8
Ammonia source is fine (old country ammonia)

 

[joltibo]

Is it normal to take that long to drop (ammonia)?

 

[mistersprinkles]

Is it normal to take that long to drop (ammonia)?

It can take a longer amount of time for the bacteria to build up in some cases. Don't worry though, it'll happen.

 

[joltibo]

Oh ok, and for the (very) cloudy water and algae?

 

[mistersprinkles]

Oh ok, and for the (very) cloudy water and algae?

Algae is your friend. Don't hate on algae. I let the algae build up on rocks/decorations, the back of the aquarium and the sides. I only keep the front (viewing side) of the aquarium glass clean. Algae helps to crowd out other less beneficial organisms, and takes phosphates and some nitrogenous compounds out of your water.

The cloudy water could either be an algae bloom (if it's greenish) or bacteria (if it's whitish). Either way, it won't last forever.

 

[joltibo]

Alright, thanks!!
I was getting a bit worried

 

[Delapool]

Just wondering here - if it is a bacterial bloom, could it be adding ammonia faster than the bb can remove?

 

[joltibo]

Well, wouldn't know, but it seems to be slowing the process down...

 

[Delapool]

Does the colour on the ammonia test change at all or a constant 4ppm ? Just curious.

 

[joltibo]

It seems to be going lighter lately, hard to tell

 

[OwduaNM]

It seems to be going lighter lately, hard to tell

You may want to make sure that your tank is receiving very little light during the cycling phase. Light can slow down the metabolism of the bacteria.

 

[joltibo]

Yeah, it has some little indirect light in the morning..

 

[Hobgob]

What's your temp at and have you seeded your cycle at all?

 

[joltibo]

~83 F, as said in the first post
Some seeding (gravel and sponge in the filter)