cycle just will not start!

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

again, did a test, 1 ppm ammonia, 0 trites, 40 ish nitrates which could be reading high.

I am at my wits end, it is almost 9 weeks fish in and not a single thing has changed since day 1, I have been patient but after 9 weeks it would seem like something should have been happening.

 

[Sillyfishies]

again, did a test, 1 ppm ammonia, 0 trites, 40 ish nitrates which could be reading high.

I am at my wits end, it is almost 9 weeks fish in and not a single thing has changed since day 1, I have been patient but after 9 weeks it would seem like something should have been happening.

It took me 6+ months. Just don't worry about it. Enjoy your fish.

 

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

At this point could I add some more? I am considering adding 6 neon tetras

 

[Sillyfishies]

At this point could I add some more? I am considering adding 6 neon tetras

No. The ammonias just going to be getting higher and higher. Just leave the fish you have now.

 

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

progress! slow progress but progress none the less.

did a test yesterday and it showed my ammonia dropping, checked again today, ammonia still dropping, and now nitrites have finally appeared, so the ammonia phase took me 9 weeks, I am dreading to see how long the nitrite phase will take since I hear it can take a lot longer than the ammonia phase.

 

[Sillyfishies]

progress! slow progress but progress none the less.

did a test yesterday and it showed my ammonia dropping, checked again today, ammonia still dropping, and now nitrites have finally appeared, so the ammonia phase took me 9 weeks, I am dreading to see how long the nitrite phase will take since I hear it can take a lot longer than the ammonia phase.

My ammonia phase was 4 months, nitrite was only 2 months.

 

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

So after further testing I am indeed into the nitrate phase which is great! However.... As of a few days ago there is a brown algae like substance covering all my decor and fake plants, what is this and what is the cause and cure?

Also, I know plecos grow huge, but I love algae eaters, is there a smaller one i could keep in a 29 gallon tank?

 

[ashleynicole]

So after further testing I am indeed into the nitrate phase which is great! However.... As of a few days ago there is a brown algae like substance covering all my decor and fake plants, what is this and what is the cause and cure?

Also, I know plecos grow huge, but I love algae eaters, is there a smaller one i could keep in a 29 gallon tank?

Diatoms and very very common in a new tank. Don't do ANYTHING. It will go away on it's own.


A lot of times people cause more problems by trying to solve a problem that is self limiting. Meaning it will resolve without any intervention.


A bristlenose pleco would be perfect for a 29 gallon and they do eat brown algae. But it is not necessary for this issue and you would definitely want to feed then algae wafers and fresh veggied like zucchini.

 

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

so I think my cycle is done, I cant really be sure.

I was hovering around 1 - 1.5 ppm ammonia as per the norm, then a few days ago I tested the water and the ammonia was dropping, the next day I checked the nitrites and they were off the charts really really high, so I did 2 back to back water changes and waited, the next day I tested my tank and there is zero ammonia and zero nitrites, these have held steady at zero for a day and a half now.

however, as I posted in another thread, I can not get my nitrate test to read anything but 20 - 80 ppm, it has read this from day one, my tap water also reads the same, so I really cant say for sure I have nitrates however I did take some tank water into the LFS and they proceeded to use a strip test, and it showed that I have no ammonia, no nitrites, and around 15 - 20 nitrates, can I trust these results since supposedly strips stink?