Fishless Cycle Results Confusing

[ryanpierce2]

Hey all - going through a fishless cycle and am getting a stall in ammonium and a constant increase in nitrites. Is this normal? Nitrates are also rising which is good (?) but im mostly concerned about ammonium and nitrite levels.

Im follwing Dr Tims guide - but he says to re-dose ammonium if ammonium and nitrite are below 1ppm. But they werent both below. So I have not re-dosed since original dosing.

Fishless Cycling | DrTim's Aquatics

The term "fishless cycling" refers to the process of establishing the nitrifying bacteria in a newly set-up aquarium without using fish which are used in the traditional cycling method. The problem associated with using fish in the cycling period is that normally, when establishing the...

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Quick Guide to Fishless Cycling | DrTim's Aquatics

Quick Guide to Fishless Cycling with One & Only There are many opinions about how to fishless cycle your aquarium. But they normally just confuse readers and generate more questions than answers. Below is an article explaining the process and a couple of ways to fishless cycle, which we...

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[shanepike]

Are you using an API test kit for Ammonia?

 

[ryanpierce2]

Are you using an API test kit for Ammonia?

No Im using Sera Ammonium Testing Kit. RedSea Nitrite and Nitrate kit.

 

[shanepike]

I thought you might be getting a false reading. I think you're okay. Give it a few more days.

What size is the tank? How much sand and rock?

 

[msporleder]

if you are producing nitrates then you are moving. Do a water change?

 

[ryanpierce2]

I thought you might be getting a false reading. I think you're okay. Give it a few more days.

What size is the tank? How much sand and rock?

Just did test again, ammonium went down to .075ppm but nitrite still at 10ppm. Looks like nitrate is around what it was yesterday - 10ppm.

My tank is redsea 170 - total water volume is about ~39g.

Im a total noob so am getting concerned -_- eager to put fish in, but obviously wanting to make sure this is done correctly.

 

[msporleder]

Nothing to be concerned about. Once the ammonia is cleared you can add some snails.

 

[shanepike]

Just did test again, ammonium went down to .075ppm but nitrite still at 10ppm. Looks like nitrate is around what it was yesterday - 10ppm.

My tank is redsea 170 - total water volume is about ~39g.

Im a total noob so am getting concerned -_- eager to put fish in, but obviously wanting to make sure this is done correctly.

Can you post a photo of the tank?

 

[ryanpierce2]

Can you post a photo of the tank?

Ammonium level still dropping - nitrite still spiking. Tried to get the tank the best I could. I have not changed water or re-dosed still per instructions to not if ammoinium and nirtire over 1ppm.

You asked how much sand and rock earlier - probably 30lbs of Caribsea Special Grade and then im not sure exactly how much rock- but it's just marco dry rock.

 

[GreenSPSlimer]

I don’t think there are anything to be worried about, your ammonia is most likely being sucked in by the rocks, now it is just releasing the ammonia that it sucked in so the ammonia level is stalling but nitrite and nitrate are increasing means there is basically nothing to be worried about. Your bacteria is doing it’s job.

 

[shanepike]

I wanted to be sure you had enough sand and rock, and that looks like plenty. Your levels look totally normal.

Once you get to 0 ammonia, you should be fine. I, personally, like to redose to 2 PPM ammonia to make sure it's reduced to 0 within 24 hours, but that's just being super sure. If you're starting with something hardy like clowns or damsels, you'll be fine.

Once you're ready to add fish, I would do a water change to get nitrates closer to 25.

 

[ryanpierce2]

I wanted to be sure you had enough sand and rock, and that looks like plenty. Your levels look totally normal.

Once you get to 0 ammonia, you should be fine. I, personally, like to redose to 2 PPM ammonia to make sure it's reduced to 0 within 24 hours, but that's just being super sure. If you're starting with something hardy like clowns or damsels, you'll be fine.

Once you're ready to add fish, I would do a water change to get nitrates closer to 25.

Hopefully last question. Got some good movement down in ammonium and nitrite, so I added some more ammonium per direction of Dr Tims fishless cycle recipe but my nitrates arent rising much and my nitrite is still being stubborn and not going down. Do I still look good to go here? Probably just another day or two or three?

 

[msporleder]

once the nitrifying bacteria establish the nitrite will basically never show up because it will get processed so quickly. Normally it spikes so just give it a little more time (stop dosing) to let ammonia go back down to 0 and, in my opinion, call it.

 

[shanepike]

Did you do a water change? Is that why nitrates and nitrites dropped so sharply?

You may just be stalled. This is a helpful thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/help-new-tank-really-confusing-cycle.1112661/ "If there is too much ammonia or not enough oxygen or no food beyond just ammonia, the bacterial growth and succession can slow down or actually stop or even die off. Bacteria need food too."

Bottom line, though, I'm with @msporleder. Let ammonia get back down to 0, add 1 or 2 hardy fish, and keep an eye on ammonia to make sure it stays at 0 (or close to it).

 

[ryanpierce2]

Did you do a water change? Is that why nitrates and nitrites dropped so sharply?

You may just be stalled. This is a helpful thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/help-new-tank-really-confusing-cycle.1112661/ "If there is too much ammonia or not enough oxygen or no food beyond just ammonia, the bacterial growth and succession can slow down or actually stop or even die off. Bacteria need food too."

Bottom line, though, I'm with @msporleder. Let ammonia get back down to 0, add 1 or 2 hardy fish, and keep an eye on ammonia to make sure it stays at 0 (or close to it).

I also just did a test a few hours ago and ammonium still dropping. 0.25 now.

I did not do a water change. My plan is to get 2 clowns and have them be in there alone for a month or so.

Before I add them to the tank, should I do a water change or no?

 

[shanepike]

If nitrates are 25 or below, I wouldn't worry about a water change. You're good. And if you're starting with clowns, I wouldn't have any problem going ahead and putting them in there. Just keep an eye on ammonia.

 

[ryanpierce2]

If nitrates are 25 or below, I wouldn't worry about a water change. You're good. And if you're starting with clowns, I wouldn't have any problem going ahead and putting them in there. Just keep an eye on ammonia.

This is reading as of 10 minutes ago. Ammonium dropping, nitrite level, and nitrate dropping. I guess unless you suggest otherwise I will addd the two clowns tomorrow, no water change.

 

[msporleder]

Clown are probably fine but I like a week with just snails, personally. You can "ghost feed" a little while they are in there.