touchofgrey
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I am "attempting" to cycle a 180 gal fw tank. I am using the fishless/ammonia method. I started the process on 12/15/13. The closest that I can figure is that 1.75 oz ammonia brings the tank to about 4ppm. So far, my nitrites are holding steady at "off the scale" (API test kit, deep purple immediately upon putting drops in). Nitrates around 20ppm, pretty steady, pH holding at 7.0, temperature 78-80.
I've seeded the filters and also used Nite-Out and TSS. Ammonia usually drops to 0.5 to 1.0 ppm after 24 hours, but nitrites are not budging. Tank is fairly heavily-planted, well-lit, co2 levels good according to drop checker. I have a pressurized co2 system that I have not started yet.
I was told yesterday that I should not dose the tank with ammonia any more until nitrites crash, but I would think that that would starve the bacteria.
Am I just being too impatient, or am I doing something wrong? My fish in my other tank are giving me the stink-eye because they are ready to move! I appreciate any input you fine people can pass along. Thanks!
I've seeded the filters and also used Nite-Out and TSS. Ammonia usually drops to 0.5 to 1.0 ppm after 24 hours, but nitrites are not budging. Tank is fairly heavily-planted, well-lit, co2 levels good according to drop checker. I have a pressurized co2 system that I have not started yet.
I was told yesterday that I should not dose the tank with ammonia any more until nitrites crash, but I would think that that would starve the bacteria.
Am I just being too impatient, or am I doing something wrong? My fish in my other tank are giving me the stink-eye because they are ready to move! I appreciate any input you fine people can pass along. Thanks!