morganrules

hello its been a week since i started my cycle and my ammonia readings are off the chart with no nitrite readings. i have absolutely no idea what to do now

Lucy

Hi morganrules,
Are you doing a fish less cyle or do you have fish in your tank?

morganrules

i am doing a fish-less cycle. and ive found out that my filter system is going on the fritz if that had anything to do with this problem

Lucy

Cycling a tank can take a while, so I wouldn't worry after a week.
What's the reading and what are you using to test?
What source of ammonia are you using and how much and how often are you adding it?

Sorry for all the questions, the answers will help everyone help you.

Most of the bacteria will grow in your filter and on the filter media, so if the filter needs replacing, you should do it soon.

jdhef

It can take a couple of weeks to start seeing nitrites. But a malfunctioning filter could cause problems.

Edit: Looks like Lucy and I were typing at the same time. Sorry for the repeat info

morganrules

umm the reading on the test is above 6 and im using the cheap test kit until i get the API ones today and i was using pure ammonia and then i tried cycle just to see and i was adding the pure ammonia everyday and im also getting the new filter system today to so im hoping itll get better

jdhef

You don't want to use Cycle. It is a product that actually nevers allows your tank to cycle properly. If you use Cycle, you need to add it at regular inervals for the life of the tank.

morganrules

ok so stop using cycle, continue using the pure ammonia everyday or how long for that and how many drops does the tank need if it is a 20 gallon tank.

jdhef

I believe that you want to add enough drops to bring the ammonia to 2.0. I think that once you start to see nitrites you add half as many drops until your finished cycling.

If I'm inncorrect, hopefully someone will jump in and correct me.

Lucy

This link should help you, it's very thorough:

Ammonia instructions for a fishless cycle

morganrules

so do i just add the ammonia directly to the water or in the filter region also i forgot to mention that the ammonia levels never dropped would that be the fact that my filter is going bad or did i just like overload the system in a matter of speaking

Lucy

John's got you covered pretty well here.
You add it right to the water.

It's only been a week, I think you have to be a little more patient.

morganrules

i know i have to be patient i was just trying to cover all the stuff that i misunderstood a bit

jdhef

I guess Lucy was just reiterating, because we all know how hard it was for us to be patient. Don't be afraid to ask questions. It wasn't meant as a criticism, we're a friendly group.

Lucy

Oh, I'm sorry if it came off rude, it wasn't meant to be.

You're really doing fine and asking questions is the best way to learn.

morganrules

its cool im just tired of seeing an empty fish tank . (i want my platies and mollies in here). By the way i wanted to tank you lucy and john for the help you have given me. also is using the product zyme good. its been way to long for me im so rusty lol.

Lucy

Your welcome, and your right, looking at an empty tank is hard.

Stress Zyme? I have some used it once then cycled without it. I know theres a few threads that mention it. I don't know if it helps or not.

morganrules

ahhhh well thanks again time to lol

jdhef

When I bought my bottle of Stress Coat, it came with a free bottle of Stress Zyme. I added it a couple of times, but then kinda lost interest in adding it. Maybe I'll add some again. I really don't know if it helps much or not. To me, it's not a must have.

morganrules

well looks like my ammonia reading is 8.0 i just tested it well i got a bio filter filter thing and the api test kit which i am using atm.

acidpope

Could you elaborate on this please. How does it impede it from "never" acheiving a proper cycle? Also nowhere on the packaging or bottle does it say it's mandatory to use it for the life of your tank. It only suggests using some during maintenance to help supplement for any bacteria you may lose. I don't mean to grill you. I'm just curious to know how if you get your amm/nitri/nitra numbers to signify your tank is ready that it wouldn't be as properly cycled as a tank that got the same numbers that didn't use Cycle, or if you stopped using Cycle somehow existing bacteria in your setup would somehow stop working.

morganrules

that my friend is a good question that needs answering imo. lol

Shawnie

read this thread, it will let you know all you need to know about the product cycle

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/aq...your-tank.html

hope that helps!!

Lucy

Until someone comes along that has personal experience and can explain it better, I'll try with my limited knowledge of it.

The bacteria you're trying to grow is called nitrobacter it converts nitrites into nitrates.
Cycle contains nitrosomonas, which is the wrong kind of bacteria to sustain your tank and dies off quickly.

Sorry if this didn't answer your question thoroughly.

Edit: Thanks Shawnie, I forgot about that thread.

Shawnie

anytime lucy! I cant spell those big words like you can

morganrules

well i am doing a 90% water change and starting over fresh do i add the ammonia directly into the water or how exactly

Lucy

John had it right. When I cycled with ammonia I brought it up to 5 I think, but I had seeded the tank with used filter media from my established tank.

You add the ammonia right into the water.

Hang in there, you'll get it. Good luck.

Shawnie

I wouldnt start everything over...this is what id do....if your ammonia is still at 8, leave the tank be for a few days..let the nitrites have a chance to spike...I would add stress zyme of you have it...ive used it and although its not as good as biospira, it works well....if you are having issues with too much ammonia, just put a small piece of raw shrimp after the ammonia drops which will be a few days im sure.....doesnt have to be big at all..then just ignore (as hard as that is) the tank for a bit...thats my two cents

morganrules

i just did a 50% about to check levels of ammonia and hopefully its at 2 and ill refill it there
what do you think about that shawnie

Shawnie

do the test and go from there hopefully you are going to see a nitrite reading!! keeping fingers crossed!!!