New tank, still cycling. I am new to aquariums. This is a 36 gallon bow front, fresh water.
For two weeks now my tank has been experiencing very high ammonia, but I can't seem to get "tipped" over into the next phase where the nitrite levels get going. A couple of days ago I experienced apparently what is called a biological bloom with very cloudy looking water that has since cleared itself up with no intervention on my part.
I cannot seem to figure out why I can't get over into the next phase of the cycle. I live in Houston, could we perhaps have something in the water that would be causing issues? If needed I can go out and purchase spring water and re-fill the tank with that instead.
Before I fully understood how the cycling phase worked there have been many chemicals put into this water, "pH Down", Stress Coat, and Ammo Lock. This was done about a week or two ago, and the water has since had 30-50% changes several times to try to keep my fish alive through the high ammonia. Also, this tank is heavily planted with live Cabomba and MoneyWort. Both plants are thriving.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
My levels:
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Hardness: 75 (soft)
Chlorine: 0
Alkalinity: > 300 (High)
pH: > 8.4 (High)
Ammonia: 4.0
For two weeks now my tank has been experiencing very high ammonia, but I can't seem to get "tipped" over into the next phase where the nitrite levels get going. A couple of days ago I experienced apparently what is called a biological bloom with very cloudy looking water that has since cleared itself up with no intervention on my part.
I cannot seem to figure out why I can't get over into the next phase of the cycle. I live in Houston, could we perhaps have something in the water that would be causing issues? If needed I can go out and purchase spring water and re-fill the tank with that instead.
Before I fully understood how the cycling phase worked there have been many chemicals put into this water, "pH Down", Stress Coat, and Ammo Lock. This was done about a week or two ago, and the water has since had 30-50% changes several times to try to keep my fish alive through the high ammonia. Also, this tank is heavily planted with live Cabomba and MoneyWort. Both plants are thriving.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
My levels:
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Hardness: 75 (soft)
Chlorine: 0
Alkalinity: > 300 (High)
pH: > 8.4 (High)
Ammonia: 4.0