Nitrate issues during Cycle.

[supradupafast]

Hey,

My 60 gal is entering it's 5th week (Fishless Cycling) and my Nitrates have been driving me crazy.

My Ammonia are reading .25
Nitrites are reading 1

My Nitrates go from 10 to 40 to 80 within 24 hrs.
Ex: Wednesday they were at 10, Thursday back to 40, Friday 10 and today (sunday back at 40-80, really hard to read but extremely red.)

Yes, I am doing as per instruction with the Nitrate test. 10 drops of bottle #1, shake tube & bottle #2 for 30sec. 10 drops of bottle #2. Close and shake for 1min.
(API FW MASTER LIQUID KIT)

What is happening to the cycle ? It has been like this for 2 weeks now?
Also, I was showing 0 ammonia for about a week, and now all of a sudden they are back.
The only thing I've done differently in the past week was taking a Media from my established 10gal and put it in the Canister of my 60 Gal (cycling tank).
Any help would be appreciated as I am clueless on what to do from now?

 

[jim692]

Sounds like your cycle had a hic-up.
Your nitrates should not go down unless you have plants in the tank, or do a water change.
I have had a stall when my nitrate readings got up into the 150 - 200 level.
A 50% partial water change to get the nitrate values down worked for me.
Also, check your pH, and add a very small pinch of finely ground flake for nutrient value.

The nitrate test from that kit has had some problems with the #2 bottle partially solidifying. Shake really well, tap it on the counter to break it up, and shake some more to mix. Then retry the test.

 

[supradupafast]

Hmm ?
Ok, so you think doing a 50%pwc ?
How do I get the cycle going again? Another dose of Ammonia?
This really sucks.. lol

 

[jim692]

The cycle will continue as long as there is ammonia in the tank for food.
After the 50% pwc dose ammonia back to the 4ppm level.

 

[supradupafast]

Alright, That's what I was about to do.
Thanks

 

[supradupafast]

Update. It has been 2 weeks.
I brought my Ammonia back to 4PPM, and it went down to 0.25 within 48 hours.
As of today, my Ammonia is between 0-0.25ppm, nitrites are stuck at 1 and Nitrates are 10ppm.
My cycle experienced a hickup. I am pretty sure it has cycled but not sure why my Nitrites are still stuck at 1ppm.
Should I do a major 80%WC, let it run for 24 hours and test?
Since I have been showing Nitrates for weeks now, I believe I have a small Bioload. Maybe slowly Stock and watch my levels?

 

[jim692]

Do the water change, (don't forget to treat the new water with dechlor), dose to 4ppm ammonia and check tommorrow.

 

[supradupafast]

yeah, I've done that already... and the Ammonia dropped to 0.25.
That is why I am under the impression that it has cycled.

 

[supradupafast]

My only confusion is why am I still showing Nitrites after all this time ?

 

[mfdrookie516]

have you tested your tap water for nitrates? also if you have some distilled water, you might wanna test it as well just to check your test kit

 

[supradupafast]

I am not worried for the Test kit as I have two other Tanks (established) that I test frequently with the same kit. This has been my 2nd Fishless Cycle, and it went Ape ... on me.. Not sure what happened, but it was stuck in a Crazy High Nitrate 80PPM for weeks so I did a 50%WC and brought the Ammonia back to 4PPM.. 48 hours after, the Ammonia was 0-0.25 and the Nitrates had came down to 10ppm.
I assume it has a bioload as it destroys the Ammonia in 48 hours.
My question is, should I treat it as if it's cycled... Do my 80%pwc and slowly add hardy fish and test daily and see? It has been cycling since early September.

 

[mfdrookie516]

i would be afriad to add fish until you get the nitrates under control. one thing im curious about... you said you were using a canister... how often do you clean it? i went for a month without cleaning mine (i clean one per pwc, making sure both get cleaned twice a month) and my nitrates shot up to 160+... just a thought.

 

[jim692]

ammonia and nitrItes should be 0 and nitrAtes will go up when fully cycled.

Your probably really close to fully cycled. Don't rush it. A fully mature bio filter will save you problems long term.

 

[supradupafast]

I haven't cleaned the Canister yet because it is still in the (fishless Cycling) mode. This is a brand new filter.
The Nitrates are now under control and have been for about 2 weeks (ever since I did my pwc)
My levels are simply not moving anymore.
I'm stuck at Ammonia 0-0.25, Nitrites 1, Nitrates 10.
I have seeded the tank with a used media from my established tank 2 weeks ago and planted about 1 week ago.

 

[supradupafast]

I guess I'll give it another week and see where if the levels change.