rjesse

35 Gal Tank
2 Filters Aquaclear 30 & 70

I've had my tank go for about 6 weeks, was not able to start the cycle until just 2 weeks ago as I could not find clear ammonia.

I finally found some at Safeway, I started adding some every day until my Ammonia spiked at about 5 then a few days later my Nitrites starting rising until they hit 5. Shortly after my Nitrates hit around 10. Then the ammonia went quickly to zero. it seemed that the cycle was about to begin.

Now:
still no ammonia (I have not been adding anymore should I?)
Nitrites still at 5 and not going down or up after 10 days
Nitrates have dropped to below 5.

pH Around 7.8 - 8.0
I've done several 10 and 20% water changes
I've added some "Cycle"

Do I need to add some more ammonia, and other ideas why the cycle has not continued?

Rick

Dozey

Hi Rick,

Try to keep the ammonia at around 2 until the tank can handle it with in 12 hours. So yes keep adding ammonia until your tank finishes cycling. You are well on your way. And good choice doing the fishless cycle.

CHoffman

I would not add any more cycle..It doesn't have the right kind of bacteria. Also like dozey said you do need to keep the ammonia at about 2ppm until the tank reads 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites after 12 hours..Depending on how long it's been since you added ammonia the good bacteria that was built up could be dead. The bacteria uses the ammonia so if there is none it can't survive. I think, I might be mistaken, that the bacteria can live for 3 days with none. Also when your cycling with no fish there is no need to do water changes. That will just make it take longer. When your cycle is done then you can do 1 big water change.

Lucy

Cycle contains the wrong kind of bacteria. It's not self sustaining and will starve the beneficial bacteria.

When your ammonia dropped and nitrites rose, thats about mid way through the cycle.
Once you had nitrites you should decrease the amount of ammonia you're adding by 1/2.

This should be of some help
Ammonia instructions for a fishless cycle