RyanBenson
Aquarium Advice FINatic
So, tell me if I'm being impatient but, my ammonia hasn't dropped for over 3 weeks. I'm not sure what to do but I really want to put fish in there! Please help! How many weeks til the ammonia starts dropping???
what is your ammonia at right now? are you saying that in 3 weeks your ammonia has not dropped at all? or is currently stalled?
i would leave it at 2 for now, you may have dosed too much not allowing the bacteria to grow, also what is your PH?
I am not an expert on this and am learning myself. I can tell you this, I increased my tank temp to 84 degrees. I am running a bubbler strip, and have left the tank slightly short of water for more filter turbulence. I waited for my ammonia to go and eventually it did. I am reaching the end of the cycle now. I tried to maintain 3-4ppm ammonia until I started to see the nitrite gain. I also seeded the tank from a good known disease free tank. This forum is awesome with a lot of knowledge.
Oh my gosh, I am on week three and waiting for the nitrite decline. It is a test of patience. I am dosing to 4ppm ammonia, and within 24 hours it is back down to .50ppm. I know it's working but the nitrite decline is trying my patience Congrats on doing the fishless cycle. Hang in there it will happen. I never thought the ammonia would move but all of a sudden it started declining.
you can also look at these, they are active sponge filters and will help your tank cycle much much sooner, i used one in my 38 gallon tank i cycled a few months ago, and it took 1 week to fully cycle once i introduced these.
Aquarium Active Sponge Filters
id recommend 2 day shipping at the least if you decide to get one so that bacteria will still be alive when its gets to you. i did not use the sponge filter the way it should be used, i cut up pieces of it and put in my filters, and the rest just went in the tank, i also dumped all of the water that was in the bag into the tank (per the instructions).
they say red ramhorn snails are a possible passenger on them, though i had none on the sponge and still dont a few months later.
sure, im not sure how much ramhorns breed, but an assassin snail or two would take care of them if it came down to that, and no problem!
Hey Ryan. I'm sure someone on here will help you out. They have helped me greatly with knowledge and a test of patience. In my finite aquarium mind, I would think any organic material, plant life, etc, all are subject to decay and ammonia release. Again that is just my thinking. My tank has finally turned the corner and is creating nitrates. I had to do 8 water changes to get the nitrites squared away, but it seems to be getting in line now. I remember watching my ammonia not move for weeks, and then one day the nitrites were there in full force. Good luck and congrats on patience.