(1) 2 »
Fathead Fathead
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 2/12/2017 9:38
  • From West Sussex
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 13
  • Posted on: 2/12/2017 9:56
Once again fish tank cycling #1
Good morning

I am new to this site but have been reading all the articles and messages on tank cycling.

I have a 64Ltr tank been cycling for about 6 weeks (fishless) using fish flakes. I had a ammonia spike then dropped off to 0ppm. Nitrite went through the roof above 3.3 and so did nitrate.
Following advice that high levels can stall the tank I did a big water change (50%).
But levels now have stayed the same for about 2 weeks now
Ammonia 0.6 - 1.2ppm
Nitrite 0.3 - 0.8ppm
Nitrate 5 - 10ppm
ph 7.5 - 8

Test carried out using nutrafin master test kit

I have added an air stone and cranked the temp up to about 30 degrees

There is a few plants in the tank and one oranament.

Can anybody help as the levels have been stuck like this for a while and my wife wants to use ther tank before christmas.
Fathead Fathead
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 2/12/2017 9:38
  • From West Sussex
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 13
  • Posted on: 2/12/2017 15:53
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #2
New information

I have added plant fertiliser (tablet form) a few weeks ago would that effect the readings ??

Just done a 10% water change readings havent changed

Thinking about doing a massive 75 to 80% (maybe more) water change and starting again with the tank
Fishlady Fishlady
  • Tropical Moderator
  • Tropical Moderator
  • Joined: 6/7/2010 19:26
  • From Worcestershire
  • Group: Caresheets Moderators FK Supporter Registered Users Image Admin Advisers
  • Posts: 13923
  • Posted on: 2/12/2017 18:54
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #3
Do a water change and get a bottle of ammonia to cycle with. Fish food isn't really good enough on its own as you can't dose or top up accurately and it's designed to resist decay into ammonia. You need to get to the stage where the filter can process a dose of 3-4ppm ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate within about 12 hours. As your nitrate level is so low it's clear that not much ammonia has been generated or processed so the tank is unlikely to be able to support fish without any ammonia/nitrite spikes as it stands at the moment.
Fathead Fathead
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 2/12/2017 9:38
  • From West Sussex
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 13
  • Posted on: 3/12/2017 9:24
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #4
thanks for the reply just ordered a bottle of ammonia should i change the water again or just leave it. The only reson i changed the water the first time was because the nitrites and nitrates were so high (off the scale). These levels have slowly started to drop well nitrites anyway but the ammonia has stayed where it is!
Fathead Fathead
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 2/12/2017 9:38
  • From West Sussex
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 13
  • Posted on: 3/12/2017 9:43
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #5
Here is a picture of my tank

Attach file:



jpg  (1,201.25 KB)
21017_5a23c73f3ad5c.jpg 2607X1955 px
Fishlady Fishlady
  • Tropical Moderator
  • Tropical Moderator
  • Joined: 6/7/2010 19:26
  • From Worcestershire
  • Group: Caresheets Moderators FK Supporter Registered Users Image Admin Advisers
  • Posts: 13923
  • Posted on: 3/12/2017 12:24
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #6
What's the pH in the tank? What temperature do you have the heater at?
Fathead Fathead
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 2/12/2017 9:38
  • From West Sussex
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 13
  • Posted on: 3/12/2017 12:28
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #7
Just done some more tests

Ammonia 0.6 - 1.2
Nitrite 0.1 - 0.3 (more 0.3) color cards not the easist to read
Nitrate 10 - 20
Ph 7.5 - 8

Thermometer reads 30 Degrees C (read somewhere to put the heater up to encourage bateria growth)
Fishlady Fishlady
  • Tropical Moderator
  • Tropical Moderator
  • Joined: 6/7/2010 19:26
  • From Worcestershire
  • Group: Caresheets Moderators FK Supporter Registered Users Image Admin Advisers
  • Posts: 13923
  • Posted on: 3/12/2017 21:17
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #8
Aha....I think I know what the problem is. While a warm environment is helpful when cycling, 30C is too high and at that level, the bacteria are less efficient and may start to die off. Reduce the temperature to 28C.
Fathead Fathead
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 2/12/2017 9:38
  • From West Sussex
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 13
  • Posted on: 4/12/2017 14:22
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #9
Thank you very much i have now reduced the temperature just waiting for it to stabalise to make sure i have got it around 28 degrees. The ammonia level has stayed about the same but the nitites are falling but nitrates are going up.

I have ordered some ammonia so just waiting for that to turn up then i'll be ready to start again, just got to wait now for another 6 weeks for it to properly cycle then hopefully be in buisness.

Thank you for your advice
Fathead Fathead
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 2/12/2017 9:38
  • From West Sussex
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 13
  • Posted on: 7/12/2017 11:16
Re: Once again fish tank cycling #10
UPDATE

if anybody is keeping up with this

Ammonia has turned up in the post

Changed 50% water and replaced with treated tap water

Tested ammonia got 0.6 so added 1.5ml of ammonia (as per the ammonia calculator)

levels now

Ammonia 2.4 - 4.9 (color cards not the best to read)
Nitrite 0 (clear)
Nitrate 0 (clear)
PH 7.5 - 8

So just got to wait another 2-3 months before i can add the fish fingers crossed as an empty tank looks very dull!

Thanks for all the advice