Ammonia Not Dropping...

Ok, I'm on day 17 and here are my results for my testing so far

(April 12th) Day 1: Didn’t test

(April 13th) Day 2: Didn’t test

(April 14th) Day 3:
Ammonia: 4 PPM
pH: 7.6 * Stays this*

(April 15th) Day 4
Ammonia: 4 PPM

(April 16th) Day 5
Ammonia: 2 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 17th) Day 6
Ammonia: 2 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 18th) Day 7
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 19th) Day 8
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0
gH: 214.8
kH: 143.2

(April 20th) Day 9
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 21st) Day 10
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 22nd) Day 11
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0
pH: 7.6

(April 23rd) Day 12
Ammonia: 4 PPM *Dosed back up*
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 24th) Day 13
Ammonia: 2 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 25th) Day 14
Ammonia: 4 PPM *Dosed back up*
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 26th) Day 15
Ammonia: 4 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 27th) Day 16
Ammonia: 4 PPM
Nitrates: 5.0
Nitrites: 0 PPM

(April 28th) Day 17
Ammonia: 4 PPM
Nitrates: 5.0
Nitrites: 0

I see on days 14 - 17 when I dosed it back up it has stayed at 4 PPM for a while. But, Nitrates showed up on Day 16!!!
Stats
Ammonia: 4 PPM
Nitrates: 5.0 PPM (Tap water did not contain any.)
Nitrites: 0
pH: 7.6
gH: 214.8
kH: 143.2
What should I do? It just seems to be sitting there at 4 PPM? Any feedback?

 

Ok, I'm on day 17 and here are my results for my testing so far

(April 12th) Day 1: Didn’t test

(April 13th) Day 2: Didn’t test

(April 14th) Day 3:
Ammonia: 4 PPM
pH: 7.6 * Stays this*

(April 15th) Day 4
Ammonia: 4 PPM

(April 16th) Day 5
Ammonia: 2 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 17th) Day 6
Ammonia: 2 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 18th) Day 7
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 19th) Day 8
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0
gH: 214.8
kH: 143.2

(April 20th) Day 9
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 21st) Day 10
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 22nd) Day 11
Ammonia: 1 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0
pH: 7.6

(April 23rd) Day 12
Ammonia: 4 PPM *Dosed back up*
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 24th) Day 13
Ammonia: 2 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 25th) Day 14
Ammonia: 4 PPM *Dosed back up*
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 26th) Day 15
Ammonia: 4 PPM
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0

(April 27th) Day 16
Ammonia: 4 PPM
Nitrates: 5.0
Nitrites: 0 PPM

(April 28th) Day 17
Ammonia: 4 PPM
Nitrates: 5.0
Nitrites: 0

I see on days 14 - 17 when I dosed it back up it has stayed at 4 PPM for a while. But, Nitrates showed up on Day 16!!!
Stats
Ammonia: 4 PPM
Nitrates: 5.0 PPM (Tap water did not contain any.)
Nitrites: 0
pH: 7.6
gH: 214.8
kH: 143.2
What should I do? It just seems to be sitting there at 4 PPM? Any feedback?

What water testing kit are you using?

What is the tank size?

If these tests are accurate, then your bacteria is converting the ammonia into nitrate, so you have a colony. If it stays at 4 ppm for a handful of more days, you might need to do a small water change due to the cycled being stalled. Overall I don't think it'll be necessary, though.

 

What water testing kit are you using?

What is the tank size?

If these tests are accurate, then your bacteria is converting the ammonia into nitrate, so you have a colony. If it stays at 4 ppm for a handful of more days, you might need to do a small water change due to the cycled being stalled. Overall I don't think it'll be necessary, though.

1. API freshwater master kit
2. 29 Gallon

 

1. API freshwater master kit
2. 29 Gallon

The kit you have is accurate, which is good.

There may be other suggestions to come, but if were you I might consider a small water change to drop the ammonia a little (only if it stays like this over a few days and your nitrates also stay the same). If it was converting 2 ppm of ammonia in 24 hours (assuming you testing around the same time. I am also looking at days 12-13), then it puzzles me it stays at 4 ppm for 3 days straight without change. But your colony IS there and converting, it might just be overall tedious and slow.

 

The kit you have is accurate, which is good.

There may be other suggestions to come, but if were you I might consider a small water change to drop the ammonia a little (only if it stays like this over a few days and your nitrates also stay the same). If it was converting 2 ppm of ammonia in 24 hours (assuming you testing around the same time. I am also looking at days 12-13), then it puzzles me it stays at 4 ppm for 3 days straight without change. But your colony IS there and converting, it might just be overall tedious and slow.

Ok, thanks! I will do a water change of like maybe 25% if it stays? Bit weird that it just does that, Thanks!

 

Ok, thanks! I will do a water change of like maybe 25% if it stays? Bit weird that it just does that, Thanks!

No problem. And yes, do a small water change of around 25-30% since 4 ppm is quite high, and also keep a look at those nitrates if they change.