Any Bright Ideas?

[ddmcg]

im hopeful that someone can figure out what my tank is doing before i throw it out the window!

i started cycling with ammonia two weeks ago - added enough to bring the ammonia to 6ppm (well actually a little darker that 6 on the api liquid test).

that was two weeks ago yesterday - i have just tested the water again and ammonia is now at 4ppm and nitrites 0, surely it shouldnt be taking this long? it is an 80 litre tank, i was expecting the ammonia to get to zero by now, i was hoping it would take 7-10 days to get to zero, and i should surely be expecting to see at least a tiny bit of nitrites no??

ph is 7.6 and i have the temp turned up to 29C/85F

any pointers greatly appreciated i am starting to get a little frustrated!

 

[latenightrob]

ddmcg-

Hang in there, as you know it could take 8+ weeks for it to cycle fully. Did you start out with any media from another tank?

 

[CruX]

I would definitely seek out some media from another tank if possible.

 

[ddmcg]

no mature media in there unfortunately- just dechlorinator and ammonia!

are any of those filter treatments any use to me or will the ammonia already in there make them useless?

 

[Dark Wolf]

hmmm, if it has dropped to 4ppm there should be a slight amount of nitrites. You haven't got anything in there that removes nitrites have you?

 

[ddmcg]

thats puzzling me too! there is nothing else added to the water just ammonia and dechlorinator, there are two rocks and three fake plants and the gravel so i have no clue what is going on!