Cycle Problem

[Pymzola]

Hi,

I filled my tank (rio 180) about 2 weeks ago. I have had the temp at 25. I had a sponge from a friends tank and squeezed this in the water and left it in the tank.

5 Days ago I finally found somewhere that sells Ammonia so i changed 22ltr of water and added 9ml of ammonia to the new water then into the tank. The Readings were as follows:

Ammonia = 4
Nitrite = <0.3
Nitrate = 5
Ph = 8

Day 2
Ammonia = 4
Nitrite = 0.3
Nitrate = 5
Ph = 8

Day 3
Ammonia = 4
Nitrite = 0.3
Nitrate = 5 - 10
Ph = 8

Day 4
Ammonia = 4
Nitrite = <0.3 - 0.3
Nitrate = 10 - 20
Ph = 8

Day 5
Ammonia = 4

Why is my ammonia not going down? Reading through all the fishless stuff when it does i top it up the the required amount 4, but a little confused why this is not moving yet the Nirtrite / Nitrate is?

Also is it worth me checking the levels everyday of Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate? Or should I just check the Nitrite, Nitrate when the ammonia goes down?

 

[Pleccy]

Hello,

It takes time for the ammonia to start decreasing, usually the nitrite level starts to rise after around 8 days before peaking, then the ammonia should start to drop. After a further week or two the nitrate level will start to increase and the nitrite will begin to fall. Just sit back and keep testing the water.

 

[Pymzola]

Hello,

It takes time for the ammonia to start decreasing, usually the nitrite level starts to rise after around 8 days before peaking, then the ammonia should start to drop. After a further week or two the nitrate level will start to increase and the nitrite will begin to fall. Just sit back and keep testing the water.

Thanks

 

[WILDER]

Why didn't you just add the sponge to the filter.

 

[Pleccy]

Why didn't you just add the sponge to the filter.

Good point.