1st time Cycle stuck?

[Ruffers99]

Hey all, im starting to get worried that im stalled

I have a 90G, all new. Added filter balls to my filter, filled, dechlorinated with prime and left for a few days as you will see below, then dosed with ACE ammonia. I have read that it can take longer for the ammonia to start dropping depending on the size of the tank?

I am wondering if I should do a 30% wc at the weekend to see if it makes a difference?

thanks for any help!!

 

[deMelo]

How long has it been cycling for?

 

[Ruffers99]

How long has it been cycling for?

As per the attached stats, the ammonia was added on the 20th

 

[Fishanatic]

How long has it been cycling for?

You can see the begining around the 21th-22th(edit)

 

[Ruffers99]

sorry a little additional info in case it makes a difference. I added the 10.22ml ammonia after I did the other tests on the 20th and after I dosed i cranked the heater up to 82.5

thanks

 

[PB_Smith]

save yourself a lot of hassle and headaches and just get some hardy fish and cycle the tank the proper way.

I have yet to read any great success stories on here concerning fishless cycling, but fish-in cycling works every time.

 

[Ruffers99]

was trying to get this going the stress free way. I would be happier if I could do this without putting the fish through it...

 

[dalto]

You haven't waited long enough. Unless you are using seeded media or something else to kick start the cycle it can take as long as a month before you see ammonia dropping.

 

[PB_Smith]

You haven't waited long enough. Unless you are using seeded media or something else to kick start the cycle it can take as long as a month before you see ammonia dropping.

definitely try to get some seeded media, it will be the difference between having a nice tank relatively soon or pulling your hair out chasing numbers for goodness only knows how many months.

 

[Ruffers99]

ok yeah thanks guys, I am using BB balls in the filter, I was just expecting for some movement by now as they dissolve into the media.
I will try to stop pulling my hair out. desperately trying not to grab a bottle of Dr Tims ..

 

[dalto]

ok yeah thanks guys, I am using BB balls in the filter, I was just expecting for some movement by now as they dissolve into the media.

Never seen those before. Let us know how they work.

 

[Ruffers99]

Never seen those before. Let us know how they work.

not too quickly atm ...

Hopefully soon tho. I will come back on this thread.

 

[trennamw]

save yourself a lot of hassle and headaches and just get some hardy fish and cycle the tank the proper way.

I have yet to read any great success stories on here concerning fishless cycling, but fish-in cycling works every time.

Huh.

Well...

I cycled a 29 with ACE ammonia and a dirty filter pad from someone here. Took about 10 days, probably would have been a lot less if I hadn't overdosed ammonia.

The tank has been through some odd situations since (moved, filter broke, power out) and I've never seen a trace of ammonia since.

I've fishless cycled a 3, a 10, and a 1 gallon ... Some several times over just to see how it works. Those cycled in a matter of days, with seeded media.

The person who gave me seeded media, once someone pretty active here, fishless cycled a filter in a 5 gallon bucket just to see if she could.

There's no reason a fishless cycle wouldn't work. Whether or not you believe it's cruel to the fish, I appreciate that the cycle can go more quickly with fewer water changes.

To the OP, Dr Tims seems to get several good reviews. Getting bacteria from somewhere, preferably not a bottle, would help a lot.


Sent from my iPhone with three hands tied behind my back.

 

[Ruffers99]

ok so I took readings last night and although I haven't really see the ammonia drop it cold be on its way to dropping? The reason I thought this was for the first time I saw Nitrites show up slightly. see new readings attached.

 

[dalto]

That is a good sign!

It is hard to see a drop of .25ppm when your ammonia is at 4ppm so it probably is dropping.

 

[Ruffers99]

That is a good sign!

It is hard to see a drop of .25ppm when your ammonia is at 4ppm so it probably is dropping.

yeah ok cool, i hope it is dropping, i just thought i would have seen the ammonia drop off more distinctively before the nitrites started to show up. I will start testing daily to see.

fingers crossed thx

 

[tiger terror]

I have successfully cycled 4 aquariums without incident within 12 days per tank...

 

[tiger terror]

Do you know of anyone or even a lfs that could give you some seeded bio-media?

 

[Ruffers99]

Do you know of anyone or even a lfs that could give you some seeded bio-media?

I don't, but I added bb filter balls before I started, they dissolve over 2 to 3 weeks, so I'm hoping they are on their way by know. I think it's starting to turn based off of that slight change.

 

[Ruffers99]

so i have a question?
I may need to top off or do a wc at some point during the cycle. if im topping off i will add prime to the bucket of new water, and if I need to do a wc at any point, my plan was to turn off the heater/pump, drain, then dose w/prime and fill with fresh water.
My question is, what should i expect to see from my tests after adding prime or new water with prime? will it mess up my readings? will I have to wait for a time then test, will I have to re-does the ammonia?

Sorry a few questions in there...