Needs Some Advice And Some Feedback

Hello all and thank you for any information you have that might help me.

I have a 75 Gallon Tank. I have 2 Aquatop CF400UV 4-Stage Canister Filter with UV 9W, 370 gph. I am using Seachem Matrix in both of them in the middle section. I have course, small, and Polyfill in the bottom section(which is the first in line). I am currently on my second attempt to do a fishless cycle in this tank.

First attempt I had gravel substrate added. I dosed with the appropriate amount of Seachem Prime. I then added Seachem Stability the next day. Here is where I realized I made my mistake. I never added any Ammonia to help kick start the cycle. I realized this a week later and added Dr Tims Ammonia Chloride to 4ppm. I then redosed with Seachem Stability and TSS also. I then monitored the tank for 3 weeks with no drop in ammonia. At this point my patience and frustration had ran ouyt and I decided to empty tank and use Pool Filter sand due some things I had heard about this being a better substrate choice for Tropical Freshwater fish.

Second attemp after emptying out tank cleaning tank. Cleaning and adding 50lbs of pool sand. I added the appropriate amount of Prime again. 24 hours later I added Dr Tims One and Only then I raised the Ammonia to 4ppm with Dr Tims Ammonia Chloride. This was 4 days ago. My PH is 8, my GH is 306(17), my KH is 180(10) my tank temp is a stable 82 degrees. My ammonia continues to be 4ppm Nitrites 0ppm and Nitrates 0ppm. I was hoping to see a change in my Ammonia levels by now but I have not. So I am asking for help or advice or inforamtion. I haver poured over website forums and question and have seen allot of good info. I feel like I have done verything right this time.

Should my PH start to drop as the Beneficial Bacteria start to form?
Is using Seachem Prime inhibiting the Beneficial Bacteria from being able to consume and use the Ammonia?
Should I add more Dr Tims One and only if I do not see a drop in Ammonia after 7 days?
Should I just wait it out for a month or two and hope for the best?

I do not want to make a mistake this time. I feel it is time to seek help.

 

I also removed my Seachem Purigen from one filter and my Chem Blue elite form yhe other one this time. I haver my UV off on my filters also.

 

Looks to me like you have done everything correctly. Ph should not be affected by the BB. Prime should also not be an issue. This process takes time. My opinion , the stability is a good idea as directed but be aware that how the product is stored can effect potency.

 

Okay, thanks. Wish me luck. I will check back in with progress, or lack there of in a week.

 

What test kit are you using? You should see changes, even if it's not a typically expected change up or down on the ammonia. So we should also verify that your test kit is accurate.

 

Okay back for an update and a couple questions.

I have finally started to see progress in my cycle. My Ammonia is constantly dropping everyday. I bumped it up to 2ppm yesterday. My Nitrites were Purple how purple hard to say. Think it was towards 4-5ppm. Nitrates showed 5ppm. Today my Ammonia is showing .05ppm and Nitrites are still very purple I am guessing it is higher today due to my drop in Ammonia. Nitrates are at 20ppm I think. I think I should not add Ammonia today to keep Nitrites from going higher. Is this the correct path I shoud take at this point or should I do a water change to get Nitrites dow to a readable level?

I have placed an order for 7 Discus to be delivered next Friday so I am hoping I will not have to post pone the delivery but will if I have to. I did add Dr Tims One and Only 60mL bottle that had a expiration date of June 2018 so feel it was a fresh bottle that will help speed up this process.

All feedback is appreciated thanks.

 

I would continue as you have been and do water changes to lower the levels of Ammonia / nitrites. If ammonia is being turned to nitrites and nitrites are being turned to nitrates the bacteria are there. They just need time and food to multiply.

 

Okay Thanks Greg My Ammonia has been completley gone for 24 hours so I was preparing to do a good size water change to lower nitries and add Ammonia back up to 2-4ppm

 

You should postpone the discus...not only your tank isn't ready for any fish but buying discus and putting them into a tank that isn't ready is not a good idea. Your confidence will drag if you see fish, especially discus start to suffer.

Get the tank working 100% properly and once a month of so of good readings 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 0-20 nitrates you should be able to put your fish in.

 

I plan on contacting the Breeder Next Tues before they ship them if it doesn't appear to be going to be ready. I have had high nitirites for 3-4 days now and Nitrates are slowing building so I feel like I am close. If I have to I will pay Breeder money for and extra week of holding them as I have already paid for them to be held for me. They are to be delivered to me Friday the 15th.

 

You should postpone the discus...not only your tank isn't ready for any fish but buying discus and putting them into a tank that isn't ready is not a good idea. Your confidence will drag if you see fish, especially discus start to suffer.

Get the tank working 100% properly and once a month of so of good readings 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 0-20 nitrates you should be able to put your fish in.

I agree with this too. Are you going exclusively discus in this tank?

 

Yes I have purchased 7 of them for my 75 gallon. I have 2 Aquatop CF 400 canister filters holding Biohome Ultimate Media with Bacteria Balls. I am hoping it will be ready so I don't have to contact Breeder about holding them longer for me. Hoping they will if I need them to as I have already paid for them. I have had aquariums in the past and am ready for the husbandry required for these fish.