Cycling assistance.

Hey guys. I need some assistance with cycling my 10 gallon tank.

I have a completely new 10 gallon long. I decided to do a fishless cycle, since I don't like fish-in cycles. The tank is going to have a betta fish in the future, if I can get this freaking tank cycled. Currently, it's been about 2 and a half months I've been trying t get it cycled, and now I'm running out of patience. I am new at this, and still a rookie, so really, any advice would help. But plz be nice.

Here goes.
I bought, and set up the tank on Aug 13 of this year. I am using fake silk plants, some tank rock decor, and regular aquarium gravel. Additionally, I am using a hang on back filter with some sponge and bio media, and a heater that has the tank at a constant 82 degrees F.
To cycle my tank, I used Pro Auqatics Pure ammonium powder. It was a little hard to measure the exact amount needed for a 10 gallon, but I eventually got it. I dosed my tank up to about 4 ppm ammonia. Here's where I think I messed up. I also tried to use the API perfect start bottled bacteria. Which in my opinion... Didn't work. But I put the recommended amount. And left it alone for a couple of weeks.
Fast forward to around the end of August, I wasnt seeing any nitrites whatsoever. But somehow, my ammonia was going down? I was confused at this point because I don't have any live plants or anything like that to consume the ammonia, so I wasn't sure where it was all going. However, I didn't want the bacteria to starve, and my ammonia was close to zero, so I redosed it back up to about 2 ppm. I then left it for about a week.
On September 8, my ammonia was at 2 ppm, and my nitrites were at 0.25 ppm. Also, my nitrates were showing at about 5.0 ppm, but I did test a I think they were just coming from my tap water. ( I do condition my water btw) . However, I was still excited bc I was finally seeing nitrites.
I think I messed up here again, bc I didn't wait for the ammonia to reach zero before redoing. It was at 2 ppm, and I redosed it back to 4 on that same day.
For the whole month of september, there was no progress. My ammonia feel a little, but The reading stayed mostly the same. Only at the end of September, my nitrites started reading at about 0.50 ppm. But again, my ammonia stayed at around 2 ppm, and the nitrates stayed at 5.0 ppm.
Around the beginning of October, I topped off my tank with conditioned water, just bc the water level was getting low due to evaporation, since I'm keeping the water at 82 degrees.
Now towards the begging on October, my ammonia was still at 2 ppm. But my nitrites stayed at 0.50 ppm, and my nitrates stayed at 5.0.
At this point, I was super frustrated at how long the nitrite spike was taking. Everywhere I read said it was only supposed to take a few weeks, mine was talking well over 2 months. So, I did a partial water change of about 30%. I thought that maybe I had redosed the ammomia too high, and the nitrites weren't able to multiply enough to handle it. So on October 15, I did the water change, and the ammonia went down to 1.0 ppm. The nitrites went back down to 0.25. and the nitrates went down to 0.

Fast forward, to present day, October 30th, My ammonia is still sitting at 1 ppm. My nitrites are barely at .5 ppm. And my nitrates went back up to 5.0, just like in the beginning.


I guess my question is... Am I just being impatient? I don't know if it's normal for the nitrite spike to take this long, and at this point I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, or what to do. Please help.

 

So just want to get the timeline cleared up. Is this right? And also, what testing kit are you using?

08/13: Ammonia = 4ppm, Nitrite = 0ppm (assumed), Nitrate = 0ppm (assumed)

08/31: Ammonia = ~0.5ppm, Nitrite = 0ppm, Nitrate = 0ppm (assumed)
08/31: Ammonia = 2ppm, Nitrite = 0ppm, Nitrate = 0ppm (assumed)

09/08: Ammonia = 2ppm, Nitrite = 0.25ppm, Nitrate = 5ppm
09/08: Ammonia = 4ppm, Nitrite = 0.25ppm, Nitrate = 5ppm

09/30: Ammonia = 2ppm, Nitrite = 0.5ppm, Nitrate = 5ppm

10/05: Ammonia = 2ppm, Nitrite = 0.5ppm, Nitrate = 5ppm

10/15: Ammonia = 1ppm, Nitrite = 0.25ppm, Nitrate = 0ppm

10/30: Ammonia = 1ppm, Nitrite = 0.5ppm, Nitrate = 5ppm

 

Yes, you are correct. That is the timeline. I don't understand why it is taking so long. Everywhere I look, it always says it's not supposed to take this long.

 

what testing kit are you using?

 

The API master test kit.

 

Maybe post your tank's Ph? If it is exceedingly low, that may slow things down.

Also, you said you tested your tap water for Nitrates, but didn't say what the results were

 

Also maybe post your tank's Ph? If it is exceedingly low, that may slow things down.

My pH has been a constant 7.4 throughout this whole process, and I havnt used any products or methods to try to lower or raise it.

 

And the tap water test?

 

Maybe post your tank's Ph? If it is exceedingly low, that may slow things down.

Also, you said you tested your tap water for Nitrates, but didn't say what the results were

Also, the results of my tap water showed that it naturally came out with 5.0 ppm of nitrates.

 

If I was having your same readings, I wouldn't touch my tank until ammonia was 0 from here. I would continue to test. But I see that it is trying to cycle and may even be cycled, but you've re-dosed a couple times so I'm not sure. At the 1ppm it is now, I would let it hit 0, see how the nitrites respond.

And yes, be patient if you rush into getting a fish you would be heartbroken if it dies knowing you should have just waited a few more weeks.

 

Interesting... so the cycle hasn't progressed to the nitrate stage yet. You are right to question this... it seems exceptionally slow! I realize everyone has a different experience with cycling, but it seems to be taking a very long time.
Assuming you haven't changed out the filter media or made any other major changes? (have to ask)

If not, hang in there... it WILL happen!

 

Okay, thankyou so much. I wish this wasn't so frustrating, but I'll update back on here if anything changes

Nog

Interesting... so the cycle hasn't progressed to the nitrate stage yet. You are right to question this... it seems exceptionally slow! I realize everyone has a different experience with cycling, but it seems to be taking a very long time.
Assuming you haven't changed out the filter media or made any other major changes? (have to ask)

If not, hang in there... it WILL happen!

Not at all. I've kept all the same media's in, I havnt removed any decor, I havnt cleaned anything off, nothing like that. I only did that partial water change as an attempt to get it going again, but I didn't clean anything out whole doing that.

 

Sounds like you are doing everything right
I agree with Greymatter - just leave it be and give it some more time. Don't add any 'bacterial boosters' or anything like that - I've seen a lot of people posting on this forum about having issues with confusing readings when they've used those while cycling.

 

Okay guys, thankyou! And yes I agree, I regret even using it in the first place. I feel that if I hadn't used it, my cycle wouldn't be taking this long. But we will see if I have any luck in the next few weeks

 

Keep us posted! Only 'Fishlorians' understand the joy of the moment when you realize your tank is finally cycled!

 

I've actually never used those ammonia additives before, so I don't even know their impact on the tank. I do planted tanks so mine always start with plants, and then I'll add a little fish food here and there as the ammonia source. That's what's worked for me so I continue to use it!