PWC? Fishless cycle stalled

[jlk]

Wait at least 20hrs. Then increase the dose by 1ppm. We are giving the bb the benefit of the doubt here!

 

[jlbfish]

pH 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates between 80 and 160

I am thinking water change to restore buffers and drop nitrites. Then increase ammonia to 3 ppm. Is that right?

Sorry to be asking so many questions. I stalled out my sons when it was almost done and I dont want to do it again.


Thanks so much for your help!
Jana

 

[jlk]

You should be ok for today- no wc needed yet. The high nitrates are not going to affect the cycling process. Go ahead & dose to 3ppm & lets see how things look in 24hrs.

 

[jlbfish]

Exciting! Dosed with 3ppm of ammonia and today:
ammonia and nitrite 0
nitrate 80-160 (closer to 160 than yesterday)
ph 7.6

 

[jlk]

Thats great!!! And your ph stayed put as well! Ok, dose to 3ppm for one more day then tomorrow you can increase the dose to 4ppm.

 

[jlbfish]

Ok today it is:
pH: 7.6
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 120's (between 80 and 160 but way higher than 80)
Nitrites .5

Do I dose to 4 toda or do 3 again since I still showed nitrites?

Thanks so much you have really helped to move this along you should do a writeup!

 

[jlk]

Your nitrites didnt completely zero, so lets do 3 for another day. Once they are zeroing steadily, you can go ahead & increase the amm dose to 4ppm. They should be zeroing out 3ppm in a day or two but newly cycling tanks are a bit tempermental, so lets just work off of the numbers you are getting right now.

 

[jlbfish]

Pooey!

Todays readings are (at 29 hrs after)
pH 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrites off the chart
Nitrates 140'ish

So I am guessing I wait for nitrites to fall and skip or stick to 3ppm?

Whats the next step?

Thanks!

 

[jlk]

Skip the amm & wait for them to drop again. New tanks are tempermental so a few glitches along the way can be expected.

 

[jlbfish]

Okie dokey sounds good! You are my yoda! LOL

Thanks

 

[jlbfish]

This morning it is
pH 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 2-5 (but not off the chart)
Nitrate 160'ish

I assume i am still waiting till the Nitrite drop down to 1 or below is that right?

Also do I want to do a water change to restore the minerals and bring the nitrate down a bit?

Thanks!
Jana

 

[jlk]

The nitrate level isnt concerning but I am surprised your nitrites havent dropped further. Go ahead & do a big wc. Wait little bit & retest your nitrites. If they have dropped to 1 or lower, go back to 2ppm ammonia & lets see how things look in 24hrs.

 

[jlbfish]

We did an 80% water change and Nitrites are at .5

Will dose to 2 and see.

Thanks again!

 

[jlbfish]

Ok added 2 ammonia list night. The test results are:
pH 7.6
Nitrates 40-80
Ammonia and Nitrites 0

Should I bump to 2 1/2 or go to 3?

 

[jlk]

Let's try 2 1/2 dose for tonight & see how things look in 24hrs. If all is well, you can bump it up to 3 tomorrow.

 

[jlbfish]

All is well.
pH 7.6
Ammonia and Nitrites 0
Nitrates 80-100

I dosed 3 ppm fingers crossed and THANK YOU for all of your help. I am hoping it is close to the end of the cycle. Of course my QT tank has cotton mouth so they won't be going in any time soon :/

 

[jlk]

Keep us posted! If its all zeroes tomorrow, go ahead. & increase the dose to 3.5.

 

[jlbfish]

Woohoo! I'll try to not get my hopes up and at least try to maintain patience. LOL

 

[jlbfish]

Yay. It has been a little over 12 hrs Ammonia is 0. Hope the nitrites come down!

 

[jlk]

Give them a full 24hrs & hopefully they will!