jar05g

Hey all. So I'm cycling my tank with ammonia. It's been two days since I've added the ammonia and I'm starting to see a drop in my ammonia levels (which is a good thing), but I'm also seeing some type of fungus maybe? around all my decorations and everything else. I don't know what it is...it's just something that is surrounding everything. Is this normal? Anyone else ever see anything like this? Any help will do! Thanks!

jdhef

Can you post a photo? That would probably help identify it.

lilsoccakid

i bet that you are seeing the formation of bacteria colonies. This is not a bad thing, just forming the bacteria u need to cycle a tank. it should go away in not to long. a pic would help confirm this

Shawnie

if its brown like, its diatoms...a new tank algae..and harmless..a pic would help as others have said...congrats on cycleing fishless!!

jar05g

I'll work on the pictures...it's definitely not diatoms...I've gone through those before haha. This stuff is just around EVERYTHING!!

Blub

It may be another kind of algae but I need picts to be sure.

jar05g

Umm...how do I post pictures on here? I'm having issues haha

jar05g

Ok...I did the best I could with the pictures. It's really hard to tell...this is a bridge that I have in my tank...and you can see that it's surrounded by a fungus-like substance...it's kind of clear, kind of white so it's hard to see. Hope this helps. Also, while cycling, do I need to add water to the tank to replace evaporated water, or should I wait until my tank is done cycling?

Lucy

Are you using ammonia with no additives?

jar05g

Yeah. It's the same stuff that people on here have told me to buy. It's ammonia from Ace Hardware.

jdhef

Just a shot in the dark, but are you using Stress Coat as a water conditioner? Could it be a reaction between the ammonia and aloe?

jar05g

No...the only thing I added to the tank was TetraSafe, but that was right after the tank was filled and before I added the ammonia.

Lucy

Oh, to answer your other question, yes add water to accomodate evaporation.

Hmmm I've never heard of anyone having that when they cycled with ammonia.

This is a bit off the wall, someone else can tell me that it's totally wrong. lol
Perhaps phosphates?

jar05g

I'm guessing it's just a huge amount of bacteria build up. I'm hoping it will go away as time goes on. I guess only time will tell haha.

Blub

The pics aren't that clear, but it could possibly be black beard algae?

Wait, if you haven't dechlorinated the water - then for the first few days you would have no bacteria growth because the chlorine kills them off. Dechlorinate even with no fish.

It may just be bacteria. Keep us posted!

jar05g

The water was dechlorinated. It seems to be going away. My new concern is the level of ammonia. It's been almost a week since I dosed the tank (raised the ammonia to 6ppm) and since it's only dropped to 4ppm...and it's been there for the last two days. Will it starting coming down anytime soon?

Lucy

Yes, just be patient, cycling takes a while.

Blub

Cycling takes a while, be patient and you'll do great.

jar05g

Patient I will be (as Yoda would say haha). This is the first time I've done fishless...the only other time I've done a tank I had two danios...they're still alive in another tank I have back at home. I know this is the best way to go!!