Stalled Cycle?

[bmxweeman]

i started my fishless cycle on monday night, i added enough ammonia to get a reading of between 2/4ppm (hard to tell on the api test kit i find) i got the same reading yesterday, but when i tested the ammonia today after work it had gone up, above 4ppm anyway, how can that be when there is nothing in the tank and i havent added more ammonia?

 

[Colin_T]

There might have been residue in the test phial or the ammonia had not mixed through the tank water completely and you got a sample of water with more ammonia in. Alternatively, your first tests were incorrect.
You should always rinse the test phials out with freshwater after use. Use a plastic cap/ stopper to seal the phial up when shaking it and don't use your finger. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soapy water after using any test kit as the chemicals in them are pretty toxic.

 

[bmxweeman]

the theroy of it not mixing through seems most plausable, i alway wash my test tubes with clean hot water after use.

will that tank still cycle with this or will it stall?

 

[Tropicoll]

Are you using the add and wait method? you've only had ammonia in there a couple of days and it's gonna take time for the ABacs to multiply enough to consume it.

I wouldn't worry about the cycle stalling right now, it's hardly even started yet.

HTH!

 

[Colin_T]

It should continue to cycle as the filter will eventually mix the ammonia through the water. It could be you just tested it too soon after adding ammonia and got a slightly higher reading than normal. As long as the ammonia level is kept around 4-5ppm then it should cycle without too many problems. If the level gets above 6ppm then do a water change to dilute it.

 

[bmxweeman]

cheers