I had been attempting to cycle an aquarium since October 2015. On October 21st, somehow, the bottom of this aquarium cracked and all of the water leaked out. Not be discouraged, I purchased a new aquarium on Oct. 23rd and transferred all media, including filters, gravels and artificial plants into it.
I tested the new water and the levels were:
pH - 6.8-7.0
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.0-0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
I added 20 drops of pure ammonia and a couple of hours later the ammonia levels increased to 0.5-1.0 ppm.
I then added another 20 drops of pure ammonia.
11/24/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.6-6.8
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
11/25/15
I added 4 tetras.
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
11/29/15
Tested for ammonia only and it had increased to 4.0 ppm.
11/30/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 4.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Added a single dose of Proper pH (to raise pH) and Stress Zyme (to reduce ammonia?).
12/01/15
Made a 30% water change
12/02/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0-6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 1.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Water was noticeable cloudy
12/07/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0-4.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
After testing made a 25% water change
12/11/15
Noticed that water was starting to smell bad
Tested ammonia only and level was 2.0-4.0 ppm
Made a 50% water change
After water change, levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
I also have a filter (Penguin 150 - made by Marineland) that has a bio-wheel and hold two charcoal filters. I replaced one of the charcoal filters and left the other in place in an attempt to knock down the smell.
12/17/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 4.0 plus
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Added a dose of Stress Zyme.
Without going into the gory details, my ammonia levels are still off the charts (the API Ammonia Test Kit color is so green it almost looks blue). I add Prime during water changes (about 10%-20% every other week). I added Ammo Chips 3 days ago (put them in a bio bag and placed them in the filter), and have been adding Seed every couple of days.
Just for the hell of it, I tested today pure ammonia with the same kit and the test color is 0.25!
4 Tetras are still alive but I'm scared to add fish with such ridicules ammonia levels (nitrates and nitrates remain at 0). pH is hovering around 7.0.
I've checked at my LFS and they seem to be as confused as I am. They feel it's already cycled but I don't wanna risk it.
Has anyone experienced anything like this before?
I guess my questions is...Am I still on the right track? Should I be doing something differently?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I tested the new water and the levels were:
pH - 6.8-7.0
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.0-0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
I added 20 drops of pure ammonia and a couple of hours later the ammonia levels increased to 0.5-1.0 ppm.
I then added another 20 drops of pure ammonia.
11/24/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.6-6.8
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
11/25/15
I added 4 tetras.
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
11/29/15
Tested for ammonia only and it had increased to 4.0 ppm.
11/30/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 4.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Added a single dose of Proper pH (to raise pH) and Stress Zyme (to reduce ammonia?).
12/01/15
Made a 30% water change
12/02/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0-6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 1.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Water was noticeable cloudy
12/07/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0-4.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
After testing made a 25% water change
12/11/15
Noticed that water was starting to smell bad
Tested ammonia only and level was 2.0-4.0 ppm
Made a 50% water change
After water change, levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
I also have a filter (Penguin 150 - made by Marineland) that has a bio-wheel and hold two charcoal filters. I replaced one of the charcoal filters and left the other in place in an attempt to knock down the smell.
12/17/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 4.0 plus
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Added a dose of Stress Zyme.
Without going into the gory details, my ammonia levels are still off the charts (the API Ammonia Test Kit color is so green it almost looks blue). I add Prime during water changes (about 10%-20% every other week). I added Ammo Chips 3 days ago (put them in a bio bag and placed them in the filter), and have been adding Seed every couple of days.
Just for the hell of it, I tested today pure ammonia with the same kit and the test color is 0.25!
4 Tetras are still alive but I'm scared to add fish with such ridicules ammonia levels (nitrates and nitrates remain at 0). pH is hovering around 7.0.
I've checked at my LFS and they seem to be as confused as I am. They feel it's already cycled but I don't wanna risk it.
Has anyone experienced anything like this before?
I guess my questions is...Am I still on the right track? Should I be doing something differently?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.