the cycle that wont end

[Fiddlesticks]

How in the h*** long does a cycle last. My tank started cycling when I changed my substrate.( my fault. didnt find this forum till after) This was like almost four weeks ago. The ammonia is finally comming down but the freaking nitrite is still way peaking. This is frustrating. I just have a big common pl*c in there now but I thought this weekend I could start stocking. I dont want to put anymore fish in till the water gets just right. Am I doing something wrong, or does it always take this long. )

 

[tstenback]

The cycle can be unpredictable at times. The nitrite spike is often the longest part of the cycle so be patient and if it gets over 1-2 do a water change to keep it within limits so that your fish will stay healthy. There is nothing like high nitrites to introduce illness into your tank due to stressed out fish.

Edit: Try to add some beneficial bacteria from an established tank like gravel, filter media, plants etc. it will speed the process a lot.

 

[Stryker]

perhaps adding some biospira would help.

 

[pandapops001]

Hi
If you dont know anyone with an established tank, is there anywhere else you can buy some gravel, filter media etc
Thanks

 

[Fiddlesticks]

yeah I did add cycle I think thats what its called. I guess I just thought it would work as fast as media from another tank. I do have a 20 gal I can get some from. Do I just put the gravel right in or do I stick it in a stocking or something?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

The product 'cycle' doesn't do anthing. Bio-Spira is the only legitimate bacteria introducer, and even this one doesn't work so well sometimes.

Your best bet is to take pandapops advice and add some established filter media or gravel to your own tank to speed up the process. Adding it to your filter is most effective because water is forced through it at a much faster rate.