Hi All,
Just joined this group as I'm desperate for some advice and not sure where else to look
I started my fishless cycle 50 days ago and all was going well. I started off with Dr. Tim's One and Only and his Ammonia concentrate. Everything started off great- Ammonia dropping from 2ppm to 0 in 24 hours relatively quickly, started seeing nitrites on day 7. Nitrites started to climb until I saw them max out over 5ppm on my API test around day 21. I did a few water changes to get them back down to readable levels (per other's advice) and have maintained nitrites to be able to be read on API test every since while also keeping up with my regular dosing over ammonia every few days to make sure nitrites don't go crazy again. Ammonia is still processing within 24 hours but nitrites are not showing any signs of downwards movement since day 7 (I'm now on day 50- nitrite spike happened on day 21). I feel like I'm following all advice but not understanding why my nitrites aren't converting. I bought a heater last week to see if that would speed things up and have been keeping it a constant 83 degrees.
Wondering if me being without a heater/bare bottom is causing the cycle to slow? Seeing mixed reviews about this. Doesn't seem like my nitrates are moving up either At a loss as to what I should do next. Just seems like a long time regardless for my nitrites not coming down at all.
Info about my tank: 20 gal long bare bottom with 40gal sponge filter, air pump, lots of decorations (all fake plants/wood- nothing live/real). Was planning on stocking my tank beginning of December so anything I can do or advice- I'm all ears! Unfortunately, I will be getting a baby axolotl and can't add substrate as it'll be too small so that's out of the question.
Just joined this group as I'm desperate for some advice and not sure where else to look
I started my fishless cycle 50 days ago and all was going well. I started off with Dr. Tim's One and Only and his Ammonia concentrate. Everything started off great- Ammonia dropping from 2ppm to 0 in 24 hours relatively quickly, started seeing nitrites on day 7. Nitrites started to climb until I saw them max out over 5ppm on my API test around day 21. I did a few water changes to get them back down to readable levels (per other's advice) and have maintained nitrites to be able to be read on API test every since while also keeping up with my regular dosing over ammonia every few days to make sure nitrites don't go crazy again. Ammonia is still processing within 24 hours but nitrites are not showing any signs of downwards movement since day 7 (I'm now on day 50- nitrite spike happened on day 21). I feel like I'm following all advice but not understanding why my nitrites aren't converting. I bought a heater last week to see if that would speed things up and have been keeping it a constant 83 degrees.
Wondering if me being without a heater/bare bottom is causing the cycle to slow? Seeing mixed reviews about this. Doesn't seem like my nitrates are moving up either At a loss as to what I should do next. Just seems like a long time regardless for my nitrites not coming down at all.
Info about my tank: 20 gal long bare bottom with 40gal sponge filter, air pump, lots of decorations (all fake plants/wood- nothing live/real). Was planning on stocking my tank beginning of December so anything I can do or advice- I'm all ears! Unfortunately, I will be getting a baby axolotl and can't add substrate as it'll be too small so that's out of the question.