Hello! Aquarium Cycling Issues

[Tahlin]

Hey All,

New here obviously, but not all that new to tropical aquariums - I've had three over the past 20 years or so and gave it up each time for various reasons. Now I have a three year old who loves watching fish, so....here we go again!

Bought an AquaOne Arc 30 litre aquarium just to have a few fish for her. It's now been over 4 months and the tank still hasn't cycled - and I'm at a loss as to why. Got a few guppies and two bristlenose to go in the tank to cycle it (yep, probably shouldn't have got the bristlenose, I know). Got a heater as well obviously, set to 26-27 degrees. Couple centimetres of substrate, plastic plant and a plane for decoration.

The issue: Ammonia is being created, but no Nitrites or Nitrates. I use an API freshwater master test kit for testing.

• I use API Stress Coat for water conditioner during changes (also used API Water Conditioner for a while as well)
• To kick-start the nitrification process, I've gone through API QuickStart, Seachem Stability, Bacta-Boost, and Bacter Gen-F. Not at the same time of course, and none have made a difference
• I initially thought that the factory supplied pump wasn't cycling the water enough (roughly 3 times per hour), so I bought an Eheim CompactON 300 - fits perfectly funnily enough. Facing the nozzle towards the surface to create surface movement, and it should be cycling the water about 7-8 times per hour
• Also added in an air stone for the hell of it, but I'm pretty sure the o2 levels aren't the issue
• Removed the carbon filter after the first month and left it out ever since
• Added in some Continuum Bact-Rox M to try some different filtration medium (couple months back)
• Removed the plastic plant.... just because I'm out of ideas. No change.

I'm out of ideas - all I get is ammonia and that's it. I don't have anyone nearby that I know that has an aquarium, so I can't use someone else's media (unless someone here is in southern Adelaide and willing to donate?!).

Anything you can think of that may help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

 

[RowdyBub50]

In the same boat kind of, my kids have gotten older though so now I can get back into it. 4 months and nothing is pretty odd, esp with fish in the tank. Not being new as you said assuming you're not crazy cleaning the tank and filter out of all the good stuff. How much ammonia? If its over 8 I believe it'll stall the cycle, lots of water changes to bring it back down if it is. Have you moved since the last tank, tested the faucet water for problems if not done already.

 

[seangee]

Add real plants, ideally fast growing floating ones as these will use the ammonia.
Reduce feeding - twice a week is ok but no more than every other day
Keep testing and doing water changes whenever you have a non-zero reading

How big are the bristlenoses? These are messy fish (biologically) and a 30l tank may never be able to cope with their bioload. Just FWIW increasing the cycle rate won't actually make a difference - that is only something used by filter / pump manufacturers to get you to upgrade. Conversely the longer the water stays in the filter the more effective the filter (within reason).

Finally what type of filter is it? If it is the type where manufactures recommend you change the cartridges periodically then don't. Just rinse them out and replace. If not appropriate just replace the cartridges with filter sponge cut to the same size and shape - but don't replace it all at once if possible.

 

[Tahlin]

Not being new as you said assuming you're not crazy cleaning the tank and filter out of all the good stuff. How much ammonia?

Nah, only cleaning in tank water. Ammonia varies from 1 to 4 depending on how many days between water changes (usually doing 50% every 3-4 days)

Have you moved since the last tank, tested the faucet water for problems if not done already.

Same house as the last tank (which had no issues), so shouldn't be any issues there. PH is pretty much spot on 8.

Add real plants, ideally fast growing floating ones as these will use the ammonia.
Reduce feeding - twice a week is ok but no more than every other day
Keep testing and doing water changes whenever you have a non-zero reading

Thanks for these suggestions - I did think about getting some plants, but thought it might make it worse - might go for a drive and get some later today. Feeding has been reduced already to every second day or so.

How big are the bristlenoses?

One is about 5cm, the other maybe 3cm

Conversely the longer the water stays in the filter the more effective the filter (within reason).

This is actually pretty interesting - I did consider this, but haven't seen it mentioned before (not that I went searching for info specifically around this). The new Eheim pump I have is adjustable (170-300l/h), so I'll drop it back to its slowest setting and see how it goes

Finally what type of filter is it? If it is the type where manufactures recommend you change the cartridges periodically then don't.

The stock filter is a combination of a cartridge with little balls and a large sponge. There's no recommendation to replace the bio-cartridge (not that I'd follow that recommendation anyway). I've also added additional filter material to the mix (Continuum Bact-Rox M).

Thanks for the feedback guys - I'll give the plants and slower pump a try to see how it goes (and maybe 2-3 day water changes instead of 3-4).

 

[Retired Viking]

I agree with @seangee . Some of the plants that would help are anacharis, moneywort, hornwort and water sprite. I have them in my tanks. You can "plant" them in the gravel/sand or let them float. Another floating plant that is good is frog bite. All these are easy to take care of and absorb ammonia at a higher rate than most rooted plants. I do a water change of 50% every week which also helps. I do not use carbon cartridges in my filters only sponge and add extra sponge if there is room. If you have enough plants they will take care of the ammonia and you will have a planted/silent cycle. That is where the plants absorb all the ammonia and you do not have to worry about having bacteria. I have done planted/silent cycles on all my freshwater tanks.

 

[Retired Viking]

Hello and welcome to the forum (I almost forgot)

 

[Tahlin]

Hey all,
So after trying many more different things (plants, more plants, other nitrifying bacteria), I finally found out the issue. It was my tap water - which was fine with previous aquariums. Decided to try filtered tap water instead of straight tap water - cycled within a week.

Thanks for the help guys!