5 Weeks And No Nitrites

[Am29]

Hi guys,

Coming upto 5 weeks now.

The API test kit is showing an Ammonia reading of 8ppm and has been like this since week 1 of adding ammonia (biomature) even did a 50% change last week thinking I may have gone overboard in adding the ammonia however its made no difference.

Please help before I switch everything off.

 

[KittyKat]

Recap everything you did and all the readings you took, please.

 

[anon02]

Is biomature ammonia, most of us use household ammonia which has a concentration of 9.5%

It would help if you gave the full stats on your water quality, have a look at some of the cycling logs in this forum, it will give you some idea of the information that the members need in order to be able to help you

In order for the AOB and NOB to grow optimally we have found that a dose of 5ppm ammonia with a temperature of 29C and a pH of 8.0 - 8.4 is best, repeating the dose if the level falls back to zero in the previous 24 hours

Hope that helps

 

[fatheadminnow]

First of, 8 ppm is too high for ammonia. This can trigger the wrong type of bacteria to grow. Second, is the ammonia you are using just ammonia and water? Other additives will hinder the ammonia useless and will not let any bacteria to colonize.

What kind of water conditioner, if any, are you using?

Tank temp?

pH level, like mentioned above, is best when it is around 8.0 - 8.4. However, if it is lower then this, do not worry. If the pH falls below 6.5, then there will be problems.

So:
-What is in the ammonia? Is it just ammonia and water or something more?
-Drop the ammonia down to 5 ppm (using the calculator at top right of this page can help).
-Tank temp?
-pH level?
-What time of water conditioner are you using?
-Filter? Believe it or not, some people will try to cycle a tank without any filter or water movement in the tank. So, make sure you have a filter, I am sure you do, and how much water movement do u have in the tank?

-FHM

 

[Am29]

So:
-What is in the ammonia? I was advised to use this as an ammonia source. It seems to be a favourite on alot of other fish forums - http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/waterlife-biomature-120ml-p-3018.html -Drop the ammonia down to 5 ppm (using the calculator at top right of this page can help).
-Tank temp? 25 degrees Celcius
-pH level? 7.8
-What time of water conditioner are you using? tapsafe
-Filter? Believe it or not, some people will try to cycle a tank without any filter or water movement in the tank. So, make sure you have a filter, I am sure you do, and how much water movement do u have in the tank? its the interpet filter that came with the tank, sorry, i've forgotten the name. Its a 60 litre tank.
-FHM

 

[frida]

As someone mentioned above, 8ppm seems too high. You say you did a 50% water change, which means it should have gone down to 4ppm but perhaps it wasn't actually 8ppm but off the chart (with the API kit 8ppm is the highest you can go so perhaps 16ppm would look like an 8ppm) Also, you can ramp up the temperature to 28 degrees or so. That usually speeds up the bacteria multiplying.

I would just keep on doing water changes until you get something like 4ppm of ammonia and hopefully it's a good level to start the cycle. If you want to speed things up, getting a bit of mature media into your filter can help a lot. Have a look on this page: link to see if there's anyone in your area.

Don't give up and good luck!!

 

[fatheadminnow]

Raise the temp to 29C, this will aid in the colonization of the bacteria.

I am concerned that your ammonia, like mentioned above, is still too high. Keep doing water changes to bring it down to around 5 ppm.

EDIT: If you have safe water, like you do because of the water conditioner, you are using a safe source of ammonia and it is not exceeding 5 ppm, the temp is around 84F/29C and you have a good pH level and good circulation throughout the tank and filter, then the bacteria colony will start to grow. Most of the time a cycle will be underway by 5 weeks, however I have seen cycles that take months. Just hang in there and keep doing what you are doing and do not give up! Just know that a fishless cycle is the best way to start out a new aquarium.

-FHM

 

[JoshuaA]

a good pH level and good circulation throughout the tank and filter, then the bacteria colony will start to grow. Most of the time a cycle will be underway by 5 weeks, however I have seen cycles that take months. Just hang in there and keep doing what you are doing and do not give up! Just know that a fishless cycle is the best way to start out a new aquarium.

-FHM

You can also look at it in another way, if you hadn't of done a fish-less cycle can you imagine the amount of water changes and stress you'd be under if after 5 weeks with fish in and you'd seen little progress. You made the right choice.

 

[fatheadminnow]

a good pH level and good circulation throughout the tank and filter, then the bacteria colony will start to grow. Most of the time a cycle will be underway by 5 weeks, however I have seen cycles that take months. Just hang in there and keep doing what you are doing and do not give up! Just know that a fishless cycle is the best way to start out a new aquarium.

-FHM

You can also look at it in another way, if you hadn't of done a fish-less cycle can you imagine the amount of water changes and stress you'd be under if after 5 weeks with fish in and you'd seen little progress. You made the right choice.

In a fish-in cycle, I a sure you that the fish are going to be WAY less stressed by water changes then high levels of ammonia/nitrite.

-FHM

 

[Am29]

Thanks for the advice guys.
Just done a 90% water change now and feel confident this time.
If no joy after a few weeks i'll get in touch with one of the guys on the list of members willing to donate....

thanks again

 

[fatheadminnow]

Did you re-check the ammonia level and see if it went down at all?

-FHM

 

[Am29]

Did you re-check the ammonia level and see if it went down at all?

-FHM

Ammonia level is now 2/3ppm. I used the calculator. I think the Ammonia levels must have been off the chart and stalled the cycle.

Quite hopeful I'll get a result now.

thanks

 

[SensesFail]

Iv been cycling my tank for adlest 8 weeks if not longer . I started using bio mature the same as you adding the recommended dose everyday for around 4 weeks and I got nothing so I drained the full tank and got the ammonia down to below 5 and then topped it up to 5 ppm using house hold ammonia. Iv been doing the add and wait method for over 4 weeks now and it's dropping ever so slightly but using the bio mature is making this process very long! It has really delayed my tank and it could take another 4 weeks at this rate.

I drained the tank last week again topping back to 5ppm ammonia and adding baking soda to the tank to raise the Ph to 8-8.5 as this is seen as a good range for the bacteria with a temp in my case of 30c. Its taking ages to drop and I still don't have nitrite despite the ammonia dropping.

I'd strongly recommend using the add and wait method with house hold ammonia and throw away the bio mature as it's ruid my progress!!