Started the cycle on 9/15, so it's been 11 days so far. The tank has live plants in it along with 2 lava rocks and 1 large driftwood. I use the Eco-complete substrate and another layer of finer substrate (Petco brand). The temperature in the tank is about 80-82F. I have been using API CO2 booster for the plants every day.
Our water is coming from a well and the readings are as follow: pH=7.4, ammonia=0ppm, nitrite=0ppm, nitrate=5ppm.
I have been dosing the 4ppm ammonia for 2 days and so far it went down to 0.25ppm in 24 hours in both days. Nitrites are off the chart and Nitrate is about 80ppm. Did 60% PWC yesterday morning and today the readings didn't change. Ammonia is still 0.25, Nitrite is off the chart and Nitrate is about 80ppm. Today I changed the water again with hope it will lower both nitrite and nitrate. Does that mean my cycle is stalled? Should I keep dosing ammonia or wait till the nitrite and nitrate start to come down?
TIA
Our water is coming from a well and the readings are as follow: pH=7.4, ammonia=0ppm, nitrite=0ppm, nitrate=5ppm.
I have been dosing the 4ppm ammonia for 2 days and so far it went down to 0.25ppm in 24 hours in both days. Nitrites are off the chart and Nitrate is about 80ppm. Did 60% PWC yesterday morning and today the readings didn't change. Ammonia is still 0.25, Nitrite is off the chart and Nitrate is about 80ppm. Today I changed the water again with hope it will lower both nitrite and nitrate. Does that mean my cycle is stalled? Should I keep dosing ammonia or wait till the nitrite and nitrate start to come down?
TIA