Fishless cycle help.

[jimmyno13]

Just did a major water change only water left was In the canister. Tested Nitrites and still at the top of the scale. So i guess I will keep a small amount of ammonia in there but hope that the Nitrite bacteria can catch up. Maybe I will do another big change this weekend to try and get it down again. Who knows maybe I will wake up tomorrow and it will be cycled. I even went as far as to test my 29 gallon tetra tank to make sure the test kit was working. Sad I know.

 

[xsryman]

If you changed almost all your water and still have nitrates I would not add ammonia. Let the cycle catch up.

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[xsryman]

If you have signs of nitrates then I wouldn't add any more ammo until thigns catch up. Reduce your dosing to every other day or even every 3 days. Now you have a gauge. Just add ammo that can be converted in 24hrs until you can convert 4ppm in 24 hrs. Then do a big water change, wait 24 more hrs then stock.

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[jimmyno13]

Yeah I added 5ml today but that is because I am going out of town till Sunday night. So hopefully it can catch up I. The next three days. I will be dosing every third day I think. Did I mention I have no darn patience. Not to mention I was hoping it would be cycled as I am going to where the LPS is that I will be getting my fish from. It is 3 hours away. My choices here are Walmart or from this crappy pet store that has no clue about cichlids other then he has Africans. Next best thing is 3 hours away or ordering from KG tropical a online.

 

[xsryman]

well there is a good chance it will be cycled when you get back. Or really close. Have you tested for nitrates? If you are near the 40-80 ppm on trates then chances are you are probably close to being finished. I dont know if this would work for sure but you could just buy your fish this weekend and and add some API Quick Start or Fluval Bio-enhancer. Or just add your fish and keep an eye on the water. If it gets ammo or trite spike just change the water. I think you'll be alright.

 

[Fishperson]

Aquabid is always an option for buying fish. They are great because you can see reviews (I think).

 

[jimmyno13]

Ok just got back from being out of town. I went and tested my water. Ammonia was zero which was what I thought would happen. Then I tested nitrites and I was very happy to see I had none. I then wanted to see how high my nitrates were. Then I got shocked. They where also at zero. So now I just doused to about 2ppm and will see tomorrow if it is back to zero. I am so excited I might get to get some fish this week.

 

[xsryman]

Thats that you wouldn't have any nitrates.

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[jimmyno13]

Ok so after dosing last night to 2ppm I came back and everything was at Zero. So I just dosed to 4ppm and will check tonight after work and see where it is at. I think I am there or close enough I can have my LPS order my African cichlids now.