Confused On Cycle In 125 Gallon

I am about to give up on this tank and just declare it a $1000 plant display box. I tested this morning...
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrites - 5+ ppm instantly

I dosed Ammonia to 1 ppm at 8: 00 a.m. and took my kids to school. I came home and tested Ammonia at 1:30. Already down to 0 ppm, Nitrites obviously 5+ instantly again. I did another 75% water change and retested.

Ammonia - 0 ppm (obviously)
Nitrites - 5+ ppm instantly! No amount of water changes seem to get these down!
Nitrates - 160 ppm (that's after a 75% water change too!)

So...what do I do?

1. Since Ammonia is at 0, should I redose, or do I need to give Nitrite some time? I don't want them to keep going up. It seems like these things are never going to come down!
2. Are you not supposed to test right after a water change?
3. Are you supposed to wait a few hours, or am I doing something wrong?

 

Well a water change does stir everything up, so it is a good idea to wait about 10-12 hours (depending on filtration) before re -testing. You can try using another bacterial supplement. Tetra safe start, seachem stability, or Dr Tim's are all good ones. I know your losing patients, I did too. If you want I can mail you some cycled media from my tank. That should give you an instant cycle. So long as it doesn't freeze in route.

 

The last tank I did from scratch got stuck on high nitrites. What I ended up doing was draining the tank completely, filled with new water, and completely drained it a second time. The nitrites were still showing over 2ppm even after all that, but lowering it seemed to jumpstart the cycle again and the bacterial filter processed it all overnight and after that it was done - new ammonia added was processed through to nitrate in 24 hours. I'm not sure how much longer it would have dragged on if I had tried to wait it out.

 

Agree with above. Those high nitrates and nitrites can stall a cycle. Try 100% change. The bacteria will still be there , and it may just be what's needed.

 

Thanks everyone. I'll retest in the morning and I'm sure I'll be doing a 100% water change. I'm sick of hauling buckets today, so it will have to wait until tomorrow, haha. Dave125g, thank you for the offer of the cycled media. I have two other tanks, a 30 gallon and a 55g. When I started cycling this 125 gallon, I added a filter pad from the 30 and 55 to the canister filter and most of my gravel from my 55, but it didn't seem to do much. I don't have either of those tanks very heavily stocked, so I don't know if the bioload from them just didn't make a dent in the 125 gallon. My 30 g just has my 2 gorgeous Angelfish, and my 55 gallon has 2 Mollies, 4 Platies, and 8 fancy guppies.

 

Oh yea that's definitely not enough of a bioload to cycle a 125, Lol. You are very very close to getting this thing done. Within the next few days I suspect we will be hearing how fast 2ppm ammonia goes all the way through to nitrates. You'll see.

 

How do you have that large of a tank and no water change system??! For your sanity, look into a Python or similar. I wish I had bought mine sooner.

 

How do you have that large of a tank and no water change system??! For your sanity, look into a Python or similar. I wish I had bought mine sooner.

I do have a water change system, haha. They're called buckets! I don't have a Python yet because I've only had a tank this big for a little over a month and until this past week, I hadn't had to do water changes yet. I do currently have a hose that hooks up to my sink to refill it. I just have to use the bucket to empty it.

Question about the python though, how do you condition the water that's going in? Are you doing it with Prime while the water is going in there?

 

I cannot imagine doing a bucket brigade on my 55, let alone a 125!

With a Python, treat for the total volume of the tank right before adding the water back in. I was skeptical but it works as advertised with no problems. Might want to look into Safe with that volume of water as it saves a bundle over Prime. Same stuff, just a concentrated powder.

 

I cannot imagine doing a bucket brigade on my 55, let alone a 125!

With a Python, treat for the total volume of the tank right before adding the water back in. I was skeptical but it works as advertised with no problems. Might want to look into Safe with that volume of water as it saves a bundle over Prime. Same stuff, just a concentrated powder.

Safe does not detoxify heavy metals. It also doesn't claim to help with slime coat. 2 things prime does. They aren't quite the same, but are very close.I get copper sometimes in my source water. Its just safer to use prime for me.

 

I'll definitely look into Safe, thanks! Tested this morning and Nitrites were as dark as I've seen them instantly. Did a 95% water change and Nitrites are now somewhere in-between 0.25 and 0.5 ppm. So they're finally on the scale! I redosed Ammonia but only to 1 ppm. I don't want Nitrites to sky rocket off the chart again overnight. I'll test in 24 hours and see. Fingers crossed!

 

I'll definitely look into Safe, thanks! Tested this morning and Nitrites were as dark as I've seen them instantly. Did a 95% water change and Nitrites are now somewhere in-between 0.25 and 0.5 ppm. So they're finally on the scale! I redosed Ammonia but only to 1 ppm. I don't want Nitrites to sky rocket off the chart again overnight. I'll test in 24 hours and see. Fingers crossed!

Ok, great! Out of the clouds now Lol. Can't wait to see what your readings are tomorrow.

 

I am so frustrated!
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 5+ instantly
Nitrate: 20 ppm

Why will the Nitrite not go down? The 50/50 Dilution test was a 5 within 30 seconds too.

1. Do I need to do another huge water change?
2. Do I need to dump a bottle of TSS+ in there? Would that help (I've never used that stuff)?
3. Do I need to redose Ammonia again so that bacteria doesn't die?
4. Do I just need to wait it out?

 

TSS yes. Ammonia Mabee every other day 1ppm. The bacteria can live quit a wile without a source of ammonia. A week or 2. This is starting to drive me crazy too. Lol

 

Safe does not detoxify heavy metals. It also doesn't claim to help with slime coat. 2 things prime does. They aren't quite the same, but are very close.I get copper sometimes in my source water. Its just safer to use prime for me.

There are emails posted from Seachem here on Fishlore that say both work on trace heavy metals, but not on abnormally large amounts.

The first post in this thread has a response that said no when used specifically for heavy metals, but the fifth one clarified that it does take care of normal trace amounts the same as Prime. Learned Something About Seachem Safe

Other emails and postings from Seachem have said they are the same thing.

 

Hello,
I think that I am having the same problem you have. I posted a thread called fishless cycle update.
My nitrites and nitrates are way off the scale. I did 2 back to back 90% water changes and the next day nitrites were back up off the scale. I am trying to figure out what causes this.
My plan now is to do 50% water changes everyday until I can get those numbers down.
I think our situation sounds similar. Good luck. If I make progress I will let you know.

Eric

 

Hello,
I think that I am having the same problem you have. I posted a thread called fishless cycle update.
My nitrites and nitrates are way off the scale. I did 2 back to back 90% water changes and the next day nitrites were back up off the scale. I am trying to figure out what causes this.
My plan now is to do 50% water changes everyday until I can get those numbers down.
I think our situation sounds similar. Good luck. If I make progress I will let you know.

Eric

Eric,
Sorry to hear that you're having the same problem! I have some exciting news though!
So on Saturday I did another Huge water change, about 95%. Got my Nitrites down to 0.25 ppm. Conditioned the water with cheap conditioner (Not Prime), and let it sit for about 4 Hours. Dosed Ammonia only to 0.5 ppm and Went out and bought 2 huge bottles (the 8 fl oz that says its treats up to 500 gallons) of Tetra SafeStart Plus. Came home, shook the **** out of both bottles and dumped them in.

Despite it saying not to, I tested water yesterday morning, thoroughly expecting Ammonia and Nitrites to be high. Much to my surprise...
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrites: 0 ppm
Nitrates: 10 ppm

So, I tested my luck and dosed Ammonia last night to 1 ppm...

Just tested and...
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrites: 0 ppm

It appears as though the TSS+ actually did something! Hopefully gave it enough BB to help process the Nitrites. I redosed Ammonia to 1 ppm again and I'll test in the morning. But it appears as though things are finally looking up! If Ammonia is 0 ppm tomorrow, then I'll increase the Ammonia amount and go from there. Maybe I could actually be cycled by the end of the week!

 

WOOHOO! !!!!!! Now just make sure to give it 2ppm ammonia and see if it goes all these way to nitrates in 24 hours. Do that for like 3 days. If your still only getting nitrates your cycled. Again WOOHOO!!!!

 

Eric,
Sorry to hear that you're having the same problem! I have some exciting news though!
So on Saturday I did another Huge water change, about 95%. Got my Nitrites down to 0.25 ppm. Conditioned the water with cheap conditioner (Not Prime), and let it sit for about 4 Hours. Dosed Ammonia only to 0.5 ppm and Went out and bought 2 huge bottles (the 8 fl oz that says its treats up to 500 gallons) of Tetra SafeStart Plus. Came home, shook the out of both bottles and dumped them in.

Despite it saying not to, I tested water yesterday morning, thoroughly expecting Ammonia and Nitrites to be high. Much to my surprise...
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrites: 0 ppm
Nitrates: 10 ppm

So, I tested my luck and dosed Ammonia last night to 1 ppm...

Just tested and...
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrites: 0 ppm

It appears as though the TSS+ actually did something! Hopefully gave it enough BB to help process the Nitrites. I redosed Ammonia to 1 ppm again and I'll test in the morning. But it appears as though things are finally looking up! If Ammonia is 0 ppm tomorrow, then I'll increase the Ammonia amount and go from there. Maybe I could actually be cycled by the end of the week!

Sounds like you are pretty much cycled. Good for you! I did a 95% water change on Sunday 9:00 AM. I waited a couple of hours before I re dosed ammonia to .50 ppm. About 12 hours later I tested 0.5 ammonia, 2.0 nitrites and 20 nitrates. So I managed to get nitrites and nitrates readable at least. I think another water change is in order for me tonight. If the nitrites still go up after that I will try your TSS+ routine. Sounds like that may be the way to go.
I will let you know what happens.
Thanks,

Eric

 

Sounds like you are pretty much cycled. Good for you! I did a 95% water change on Sunday 9:00 AM. I waited a couple of hours before I re dosed ammonia to .50 ppm. About 12 hours later I tested 0.5 ammonia, 2.0 nitrites and 20 nitrates. So I managed to get nitrites and nitrates readable at least. I think another water change is in order for me tonight. If the nitrites still go up after that I will try your TSS+ routine. Sounds like that may be the way to go.
I will let you know what happens.
Thanks,

Eric

Any update on your tank?

I dosed mine to 2 ppm of Ammonia this morning. Fingers crossed that it and Nitrites are 0 ppm tomorrow. Then I'll do a water change tomorrow night and Saturday will finally by fish day!!

So...i'm going to think positive that Saturday will be fish day, so I need some stocking advice. Let me start off by saying that I'll be inheriting 3 Bala Sharks from a friend of a friend who bought them on a whim, not knowing they get huge and currently has them in a 30 gallon tank. They're really small right now, like 2 inches. I know there's a lot of debate about what size tank they should be in, (that even a 125 gallon isn't big enough) but my 125 gallon is certainly going to be a better fit than a 30 gallon.

Does anyone have recommendations for what goes well with Bala Sharks? Any input in greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Oh, and today is day 44 of my Fishless cycle on my 125 gallon tank, for anyone who wants to know how long its taken

 

Bala sharks get large, there also schooling and rather peaceful. Cory's Bolivian rams would work on the bottom. I wouldn't add any more mid-level schoolers because balas will take up most of that area.

 

Any update on your tank?

I dosed mine to 2 ppm of Ammonia this morning. Fingers crossed that it and Nitrites are 0 ppm tomorrow. Then I'll do a water change tomorrow night and Saturday will finally by fish day!!

So...i'm going to think positive that Saturday will be fish day, so I need some stocking advice. Let me start off by saying that I'll be inheriting 3 Bala Sharks from a friend of a friend who bought them on a whim, not knowing they get huge and currently has them in a 30 gallon tank. They're really small right now, like 2 inches. I know there's a lot of debate about what size tank they should be in, (that even a 125 gallon isn't big enough) but my 125 gallon is certainly going to be a better fit than a 30 gallon.

Does anyone have recommendations for what goes well with Bala Sharks? Any input in greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Oh, and today is day 44 of my Fishless cycle on my 125 gallon tank, for anyone who wants to know how long its taken

I am wondering if my water changes kind of slowed the process. Two weeks ago I was excited because my tank was using about 4 ppm ammonia in 24 hours. I would redose to 4 and within the next night it would be near 0. The nitrites and nitrates were way off the scales. So I did a large water change (90%). However, the high nitrites and nitrates came back the next day.
I read that excessive nitrite could stall the cycle. After the water change routine I noticed that ammonia was not being consumed much. Dosed to 4 and it would only be down to maybe 2 in 24 hours. I did use water conditioner.
So this morning I dosed to 1 ppm and tonight it was at 0.5. About .5 ammonia used in just over 12 hours. Nitrite is still off charts. As soon as the drops go in they are purple at the bottom of tube. I also have read that high nitrites will not stall the cycle.
So at this point I am just waiting to see if nitrites will come down soon. I plan to keep dosing to 1 or 2 and wait it out a little more.
As for Bala sharks, I had some in my last tank. They got pretty big, (6 inches). They freak out sometimes when spooked and can knock things loose in the tank. One even managed to jump out a couple of times. Lid closed and everything. Good thing my wife was home. She heard it from upstairs, went down and saw him flopping around. Scooped it up barehanded and put him back in.
Those things lived for a good 8 years. I had a Corey cat, pleco, and another algae eater in there with them. They never messed with any other tank mates.
I will post as soon as I see a change in my tank.
Have fun picking out your fish!

Eric

 

It's fish day! Ammonia and Nitrites are Zero this morning! So I'll do a water change and go out and look at some fish!!

 

It's fish day! Ammonia and Nitrites are Zero this morning! So I'll do a water change and go out and look at some fish!!

Congratulations it seems your patience has paid off. Your new fish will be going into a cycled tank.