john.hunter225
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hey everyone,
This may just be my impatience speaking but I'm wondering if I'm doing anything wrong with my cycling.
29 gallon tank
Temp - 84 degrees F
Artificial plants and decor
Air stone running 24/7
As of this morning the water perimeters were:
Ph - 7
Ammonia - 0 (added more ammonia to get back to 4 ppm)
Nitrites - 6+
Nitrates - 60-80
I initially started my tank about a 1 1/2 months ago. I first used tetra safestart and put 5 platies to get my tank started. After 17 days the only thing that happened was rising ammonia and 5 nitrates that appeared after day 1. I returned the fish and decided to go fishless and add ammonia (Ace hardware brand).
When my nitrite and nitrate levels were unreadable I did about a 50% water change and levels were still off the charts so I did 3 more 50% water changes over the course of a week until I got the nitrites to 2 ppm. I've been adding 4 ppm of ammonia everyday and the BB devour it before 24 hours. My nitrites seem to only keep rising as are my nitrate levels.
I thought to grow nitrates the other bacteria pretty much feed on the nitrites and develop nitrates.
I went through a Ph crash for a couple of days a week ago and did 2 50% water changes and eventually added a tiny bit of baking soda and the Ph seemed to finally stop bouncing around.
Bah, does anyone see anything wrong? Or do I just need to stop being impatient and keep adding the 4ppm of ammo and wait more?
Oh, don't know if it matters but I won't be stocking the tank full after it finishes cycling. I will probably do 60% and slowly add more over time.
John
This may just be my impatience speaking but I'm wondering if I'm doing anything wrong with my cycling.
29 gallon tank
Temp - 84 degrees F
Artificial plants and decor
Air stone running 24/7
As of this morning the water perimeters were:
Ph - 7
Ammonia - 0 (added more ammonia to get back to 4 ppm)
Nitrites - 6+
Nitrates - 60-80
I initially started my tank about a 1 1/2 months ago. I first used tetra safestart and put 5 platies to get my tank started. After 17 days the only thing that happened was rising ammonia and 5 nitrates that appeared after day 1. I returned the fish and decided to go fishless and add ammonia (Ace hardware brand).
When my nitrite and nitrate levels were unreadable I did about a 50% water change and levels were still off the charts so I did 3 more 50% water changes over the course of a week until I got the nitrites to 2 ppm. I've been adding 4 ppm of ammonia everyday and the BB devour it before 24 hours. My nitrites seem to only keep rising as are my nitrate levels.
I thought to grow nitrates the other bacteria pretty much feed on the nitrites and develop nitrates.
I went through a Ph crash for a couple of days a week ago and did 2 50% water changes and eventually added a tiny bit of baking soda and the Ph seemed to finally stop bouncing around.
Bah, does anyone see anything wrong? Or do I just need to stop being impatient and keep adding the 4ppm of ammo and wait more?
Oh, don't know if it matters but I won't be stocking the tank full after it finishes cycling. I will probably do 60% and slowly add more over time.
John