Ammonia Question !

[Bronson]

Hi guys, got a bit of a strange one. I am near the end of a fishless cycle, i am on day 54. My nitrites are going from 5ppm to 0ppm in under 12 hours, but my ammonia is still taking between 24 and 48 hours to do the same. Does this sound right.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

No. It doesn't sound right. The ammonia being processed should be making nitrites. Are you sure you didn't get those two mixed up?

 

[Bronson]

No. It doesn't sound right. The ammonia being processed should be making nitrites. Are you sure you didn't get those two mixed up?

Its deffinately the nitrite going from 5 to 0. Its blue, and the ammonia stays green longer.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

That is bizarre...

Usually the ammonia drops first, and the nitrite lingers longer. 1ppm NH3 processes into 2.7ppm NO2.

 

[Bronson]

I know, its very strange. Its been like this about a week now. I thought it would sort itself out, but no.

 

[Miles_hot]

are you usiing any chemicals which could be binding the ammonia?

 

[Bronson]

No mate, the only chemical i put in the tank is ammonia.

 

[Miles_hot]

Anything in there (tank or filter) that could be acting as a source for Ammonia? Something rotting, releasing from sand etc?
Maybe if you talk us through the routine with tank sizes and dosing etc something will trip a thought in one of the more experienced people?
Miles

 

[Bronson]

Right guys, i have a 200 ltr tank, i only have silk plants in it at present with pea gravel. I dose the tank with just under 10 ml of ammonia, i take a read after 12 hours and the nitrite is 0 but the ammonia is on 2ppm. I check it again after 24 hrs and the ammonia is down to 0.25ppm. I really dont understand why the ammonia is taking so much longer than the nitrite to get down to 0. I am on day 66 now !! It just doesnt change, i have been getting these reading for about 3 weeks now. Exactly the same every time. I just cannot understand what is going on. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Hmmm very strange that one. You could try doing a water change and cleaning the filter media in old tank water.

Make sure you turn everything off and dechlorinate the new water. The other option is to stock the tank with a small amount of fish and finish the cycle that way ( not recommended).

The water change may just kick start your a-bacs.

 

[Bronson]

Thanks fishy, but I have already done an 80% water change about a week and a half ago. I also washed the filter in tank water. It did nothing, after a couple of days it was back to the same. I just want to get some fish in my tank. After 66 days I'm pulling my hair out.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Ok, I can't think of why it's not dropping.

Somebody may correct me but try skipping a day. You will get some die off, but then they may boost up again. Just a thought.

Are you going to fully stock the tank straight away? If your going to half stock it then I can't see why you can't add fish now and just be prepared to do a water change.

 

[Bronson]

It does drop, it just takes about 36-48 hours to do so. I was thinking of putting 10 or so neons in to start and keep checking the levels. Hopefully it might sort itself out. What do you think.

 

[Aqua Tom]

It does drop, it just takes about 36-48 hours to do so. I was thinking of putting 10 or so neons in to start and keep checking the levels. Hopefully it might sort itself out. What do you think.

Not neons.


Just stay patient, it will sort itself out.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Agreed neons do not do well in newly set-up aquariums. There are some other options that would be better.


The best option is to stay patient. The next best option is to get a hardier fish to complete the cycle "fish-in". If you go that route a fish like zebra danios would be a better choice, or harlequin rasboras.


(Of course, all these recommendations are dependent on the size of your tank...)