weird fishless cycling problem

[ben27]

Hey everyone, I am having a very strange problem. I am on day 34 of my fishless cycle, and I haven't had nitrite readings in 5 days now. The problem is, my ammonia still won't go to zero in 24 hours. It will drop from 3-4 to about 1 ppm, but doesn't seem to want to drop to zero. This only concerns me because I thought when your nitrites disappeared, you were pretty much done with the cycle. Is waiting on your ammonia to nitrite baceria common, or do I have some sort of issue with my tank?

Thanks, Ben

 

[eco23]

Sounds like a pH crash...can you check your level?

 

[ben27]

It's at 6.6, which is a little low I guess. The thing is it has been there for a couple of weeks now

 

[eco23]

It's at 6.6, which is a little low I guess. The thing is it has been there for a couple of weeks now

I'd recommend a massive water change, add in a small pinch of ground up fish food, dose the ammonia back up and see what happens

 

[ben27]

I'd recommend a massive water change, add in a small pinch of ground up fish food, dose the ammonia back up and see what happens

Ok, I did a 50-60% water change, and added fish food and ammonia. New ammonia is 4.0, new pH is 7.4. I guess I'll post again tomorrow when I test again. Thanks

 

[ben27]

After 24 hours my ammonia is down to 0.25-0.5 ppm. I guess I am about done?

 

[eco23]

After 24 hours my ammonia is down to 0.25-0.5 ppm. I guess I am about done?

NitrItes still at zero? If so, yep

 

[ben27]

NitrItes still at zero? If so, yep

yep still zero nitrites. This is good because I am hoping to get my fish this weekend. I'm at college and don't have many opportunities to go to the pet store, but this weekend is one of them haha