I Think I Have A Tank That Actually Won't Cycle

[Twinklecaz]

Basically I've been cyclying my 21L since AUGUST. Yet still at 12 hours I have about 1ppm Nitrites and Ammonia is sometimes 0, sometimes trace.

I haven't kept a log on here as it's my second cycle and didn't think I'd need any help with it (ha ha).

The filter is a built in trickle one which has been seeded a couple of times with media from my 60l. I've checked the PH and found it low a couple of times and added bicarb and I've also done a few water changes (the filter seems to HATE this incidentally, makes it worse for a few days) to make sure high Nitrites aren't the problem.

It seemed to be going well at first, the first lot of Ammonia ( I add 1ml to make it to 5ppm by the way) processed within a few days

Has anyone got any ideas coz nearly 4 months does seem excessive lol ?

 

[Skins]

Basically I've been cyclying my 21L since AUGUST. Yet still at 12 hours I have about 1ppm Nitrites and Ammonia is sometimes 0, sometimes trace.

I haven't kept a log on here as it's my second cycle and didn't think I'd need any help with it (ha ha).

The filter is a built in trickle one which has been seeded a couple of times with media from my 60l. I've checked the PH and found it low a couple of times and added bicarb and I've also done a few water changes (the filter seems to HATE this incidentally, makes it worse for a few days) to make sure high Nitrites aren't the problem.

It seemed to be going well at first, the first lot of Ammonia ( I add 1ml to make it to 5ppm by the way) processed within a few days

Has anyone got any ideas coz nearly 4 months does seem excessive lol ?

I would love to give you some advice, it's just to say that i'm experiencing the same problems so your not alone.

Hope you get it sorted, skins.

 

[Harlequins]

I found with my first small tank,it took forever to actually cycle so i know what you mean,its harder trying to keep the stats steady in a smaller tank...

In theory the high nitrates shouldn't affect the cycle that much,but everytime you do a waterchange,it may be making the cycle halt for a bit until it kick starts again.

What was/is your nitrate reading?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I tried to cycle a 30 litre tank and 2 months later my ammonia only started to drop so I did the naughty thing (I was getting winged at for using too much electricity with no fish), so I cleaned the tank and added fish and continued to monitor it and do water changes.

 

[VickiandKev]

Are you doing a fishless cycle? If so my advice is to a 100% water changes then go to your local fish shop a buy some guppies. They don't have a massive bio load on the tank so it won't matter that your filter isn't cycled. During this time do 20% water chafes every other day. After about 3 to 4 weeks add a pleco or two they have a much bigger bio load but by then you filter should be cycled. After another 4 weeks your tank will be ready to add what ever fish you want. Remember to do it gradually. Add stock bit by bit so your filter can keep up.
Hope that helps, I always do natural cycles rather than adding ammonia.
Thanks

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thanks for your advice guys.

The tank is in the kitchen and for my sister really (who isn't well) and she has her heart set on a shoal of Galaxy Rasboras.

I am seriously considering moving the cycle to fish-in though. Do you think Galaxies can cope with it or are they not hardy enough?

Harlequins, my Nitrates were 80+ last time I checked (that was after ages of no water change)but I have live plants now so I'd expect them to be a bit lower.

In desperation I've almost considered seeing if Nutrafin Cyle hleps!

 

[Harlequins]

Considering its been running for 4 months,i would take a chance and add a few galaxy's,has long has you keep a daily check on the stats,and perform w/c when needed...

Most bottle bacteria I dont rate much incl nutrafin cycle,but tetra safestart i've used with a some success in the past...

 

[razer121]

Can i point out that if you are this far into your cycle chances are your tank is ready....Think about it are you going to fully load your tank? or just go with the shoal? i'd personally go with adding the fish now and monitoring it, the tank is more than likly capable of having a high enough bacteria count to be able to cope with your small choice of fish.

yes i did this myself, half way through my cycle and it was fine.

 

[Mo1959]

Had much the same problem here and got fed up with it too. Have now cycled my Roma 125 and a Clearseal 60 litre fish in. Only had a couple of fish deaths but these were fish that looked a bit weak to start with. Otherwise, I have brought tetras, cory catfish and otos through safely. Just going to let them settle for a few more weeks then add a few more. I would stress though that I carried out water changes virtually every day so it is more work that way.

 

[Aqua Tom]

How many Rasboras are you thinking of getting?

 

[AstonN24vantage]

Thanks for your advice guys.

The tank is in the kitchen and for my sister really (who isn't well) and she has her heart set on a shoal of Galaxy Rasboras.

I am seriously considering moving the cycle to fish-in though. Do you think Galaxies can cope with it or are they not hardy enough?

Harlequins, my Nitrates were 80+ last time I checked (that was after ages of no water change)but I have live plants now so I'd expect them to be a bit lower.

In desperation I've almost considered seeing if Nutrafin Cyle hleps!

im fish in cycling my 7g, and all is going well. it isnt hard and i have seen no negative results. every cycle i've ever done was fish-in.

 

[SensesFail]

Basically I've been cyclying my 21L since AUGUST. Yet still at 12 hours I have about 1ppm Nitrites and Ammonia is sometimes 0, sometimes trace.

I haven't kept a log on here as it's my second cycle and didn't think I'd need any help with it (ha ha).

The filter is a built in trickle one which has been seeded a couple of times with media from my 60l. I've checked the PH and found it low a couple of times and added bicarb and I've also done a few water changes (the filter seems to HATE this incidentally, makes it worse for a few days) to make sure high Nitrites aren't the problem.

It seemed to be going well at first, the first lot of Ammonia ( I add 1ml to make it to 5ppm by the way) processed within a few days

Has anyone got any ideas coz nearly 4 months does seem excessive lol ?

I have the tank which won't cycle 2! Lol Iv been doing mine since then but no joy trying the add mature media option now fingers crossed for you!!

 

[Twinklecaz]

HI everyone, thanks again.

I was thinking of maybe 6 Galaxies?

 

[SadPanda]

I'm another one who started cycling, got stuck half way through and said sod it..

Tanks fine, my fish tell me so, caught my catfish breeding earlier lol.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Wow cool, what kind of catfish?