Low pH stalled cycle

I’m doing a fishless cycle on a 10gallon. It seems to have stalled, I’ve been dosing it daily to about 3-4ppm ammonia using Dr Tim’s and after 24 hours the ammonia is usually down to around 1-2ppm. I’m getting nitrites and some nitrates but didn’t test those the last few days. Today the ammonia is at 4ppm so it basically did nothing overnight for the first time. So I tested pH which went from about 6.4 to 6 (maybe lower..?) today. My regular tap water is 7.5 give or take. Should I do a water change or what? I don’t have coral even though I read that’s a good way to raise pH.

 

Yea if your cycle seems to have stalled a water change is a good thing to try.

 

pH can swing a lot while cycling. I'd do a huge water change. It won't hurt the cycling and it's sometimes all that's needed to break a stall.

For the ammonia dosing, it's typical to dose only when levels fall to near 0, max once per day. If the tank shows 1-2 ppm after a day I wouldn't redose; I'd let it keep falling.

Make sure you're banging the heck out of that Nitrate bottle #2 before using it and following the test's instructions, which are different than the other tests.

I'd do a PWC if needed if ammonia or nitrite exceeds 5 ppm or nitrate goes off the chart.

 

Dr Tim advises keeping nitrites below 5 ppm during cycling. He states that high nitrites can stop ammonia processing. You can reduce nitrites by doing water changes. I believe in temperature matching water changes during water changes.

 

Thanks! Looks like I had 5-10ppm nitrites a couple days ago. First time doing fishless cycle so thanks for the knowledge I’ll read more into dr Tim’s advice and do a partial WC

 

Thanks! Looks like I had 5-10ppm nitrites a couple days ago. First time doing fishless cycle so thanks for the knowledge I’ll read more into dr Tim’s advice and do a partial WC

The elevated nitrites is related to the frequent ammonia dosing. The level won't rise as quickly if you adjust your dosing schedule.

There are many different ways to fishless cycle a tank and most eventually work no matter what you do. My process is:

• Dose ammonia to 4 ppm. Redose when it falls to near 0, max once per day. Reduce dose to 3 ppm once nitrites appear.
• Do a water change if ammonia or nitrite exceeds 5 ppm or if nitrate goes off the chart.
• Temporarily crank heat to 82° F to expedite progress.
• Tank is cycled when 3 ppm dose results in 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in <24 hours (I prefer <12 hours). Final stress test once with 4-5 ppm. If good, ready to stock.
• Do huge water change (75%+) before stocking. If not stocking immediately, administer 1 ppm ammonia daily to keep cycle strong. Remember to turn down heater if needed and always use dechlorinator.

 

The elevated nitrites is related to the frequent ammonia dosing. The level won't rise as quickly if you adjust your dosing schedule.

There are many different ways to fishless cycle a tank and most eventually work no matter what you do. My process is:

• Dose ammonia to 4 ppm. Redose when it falls to near 0, max once per day. Reduce dose to 3 ppm once nitrites appear.
• Do a water change if ammonia or nitrite exceeds 5 ppm or if nitrate goes off the chart.
• Temporarily crank heat to 82° F to expedite progress.
• Tank is cycled when 3 ppm dose results in 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in <24 hours (I prefer <12 hours). Final stress test once with 4-5 ppm. If good, ready to stock.
• Do huge water change (75%+) before stocking. If not stocking immediately, administer 1 ppm ammonia daily to keep cycle strong. Remember to turn down heater if needed and always use dechlorinator.

Awesome that makes it more clear what I should be doing now! Hopefully will get back on track after this water change and I’ll retest the levels tomorrow before adding any more ammonia.