5 weeks into cycle - No nitrites or nitrates

[MaloK]

So, where is the ammonia going if no nitrite is produced at the moment ?

 

[MuddyWaters]

It is frustrating, how can a company have copyrights on bacteria that occurs naturally in nature? I use Stability and it advertises it contains a mixture of aerobic, anaerobic and facultative bacteria which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

I think it's a copyright on how to make it stay active in a bottle. I read an article awhile back that said there was another company that used to sell the bacteria, but it had to be refrigerated. Apparently Tetra bought the company and then found a way to make it stay active without refrigeration.

I guess one could have a bunch of sponge filters in a tank with the bacteria and sell them, but I think the buyer would have to run right home and put the sponge in a tank to keep them from dying.

 

[Essjay]

Dr Tim Hovanec discovered the species of nitrite eaters which grow in aquariums while he was working for Marineland. Both Marineland and Dr Hovanec hold the copyright. Dr Hovanec left Marineland and set up his own company so that company holds the copyright. Marineland was taken over by Tetra so Tetra holds the copyright.



Here is a list of patents Dr Hovanec holds

Patents | DrTim's Aquatics

DrTim’s Patents Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria and Methods of Using and Detecting the Same United States Patent 7544501 Issued 06/09/2009 Abstract: Described herein are nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. Particular bacteria of the present invention are tolerant of saltwater environments, freshwater...

www.drtimsaquatics.com

 

[TwoTankAmin]

it is simple. the nitrifying bacteria reproduce by dividing, They do not form spores. Stability is a bottle of spores.

To cycle a tank requires a single addition of Dr. Tim's.

Dr. Hovanec and Tetra share the patent on Nitrospira. However, they do not share the methodologies for bottling it. That is why I prefer One & Only over Safe Start.

 

[Oscar Betta]

Good news is that I'm definitely now reading nitrites! It's been around 0.25 for the last 5 days. Ammonia is close to 1 or a little higher. I'm currently waiting to add additional ammonia until the nitrites are over 2 (following guide on here).

I was going to hold off on adding more beneficial bacteria from a bottle since I'm now seeing some progress, but let me know if you think I still should.

 

[Oscar Betta]

Hey guys - my nitrite has been stalled at 0.25 now for weeks. Ammonia around 1 or slightly less. Would you recommend adding more ammonia or is there no point in that until my nitrites increase?

 

[MuddyWaters]

I would add more if there aren't any fish in the tank. If there are fish, I wouldn't.

 

[Oscar Betta]

My tank sadly never cycled . My ammonia drops to around 0.75 ppm and seemingly never goes lower. I've had some readings of nitrite and nitrate but no big spikes. Currently 0 nitrites and around 2 nitrates. I've tried a few additions of ammonia after traces of nitrite, and it drops back to around 0.75 after a few weeks and stalls out. I think it's probably best at this point to just empty it and restart as I know it shouldn't be this difficult or lengthy.