Nitrite gone, ammonia stuck, cycle help

I've been cycling my 10gal for about 1 month 1/2 now and been testing every other day or so.

Started dosing dr Tim's on 2/4. Dosed up to 2-3ppm ammonia. Added about 10 or 15 drops daily

2/4
Ph 7.6
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5ppm
Ammonia 2ppm

Finally saw Nitrites on 2/7
2/7
Ph 7.6
Nitrite 2ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
Ammonia 1ppm

2/9
25% water change

2/11
Ph 7.6
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
Ammonia .25ppm

2/15
Ph 7.6
Nitrite 2ppm
Nitrate 80ppm
Ammonia .25ppm

2/16
25% water change +15 drop ammonia

2/17
Ph 6.8 (not sure why)
Nitrite 2ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
Ammonia .25ppm

2/20
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
Ammonia .25


I've been adding ammonia every day but now I'm not getting anymore Nitrites but I'm stuck at .25ppm Ammonia . Is my tank cycled or does it need to reach 0ppm still ?

I dose up to 2ppm but 24hrs later it's at .25ppm ammonia , not 0ppm. Does that still count as cycled?

Thanks

 

Don't add anything and just let the tank sit for a few days.

 

Sometimes the ApI test will show .25 when its really zero( a lot of folks on here have experienced this ). The only way to be sure is test your source water and maybe test a bottle of spring water to compare the results.

 

Don't add anything and just let the tank sit for a few days.

Do you think the Nitrates are too high, they came out really red , should I do a water change ?

Sometimes the ApI test will show .25 when its really zero( a lot of folks on here have experienced this ). The only way to be sure is test your source water and maybe test a bottle of spring water to compare the results.

I've tested my tap water and its comes out green at 1ppm , tested spring water about 2 years ago but I'll test again . What if It doesn't come out perfect yellow? It gets rid a decent about overnight , just not the rest .25ppm should I keep waiting it out ?

 

I've tested my tap water and its comes out green at 1ppm , tested spring water about 2 years ago but I'll test again . What if It doesn't come out perfect yellow? It gets rid a decent about overnight , just not the rest .25ppm should I keep waiting it out ?

IMO if it doesn't come out perfect and is at .25ppm then your test kit is off by that much and you should be fine. Be sure your testing the Nitrates according to the directions by beating the out of the test bottles so its not giving you any false readings.

 

IMO if it doesn't come out perfect and is at .25ppm then your test kit is off by that much and you should be fine. Be sure your testing the Nitrates according to the directions by beating the out of the test bottles so its not giving you any false readings.

Yeah I add nitrate #1 to the tube , shake that, then shake the nitrate #2 bottle, add that to the tube , shake for 1 minute. Are my Nitrates too high you think

 

Yeah I add nitrate #1 to the tube , shake that, then shake the nitrate #2 bottle, add that to the tube , shake for 1 minute. Are my Nitrates too high you think

Check your PH as well . Low PH can cause a cycle to stall. But with your nitrates at 40 you can either ride it out for a few more days or do a 25-50% WC then test the next day and let us know the most current readings. Patience will always pay off in the end.

 

Check your PH as well . Low PH can cause a cycle to stall. But with your nitrates at 40 you can either ride it out for a few more days or do a 25-50% WC then test the next day and let us know the most current readings. Patience will always pay off in the end.

I just checked my ph right now and it went up from 6.8 to 7.2 . Is that fine for the cycle . Dont know why it went to 6.8 though

 

I just checked my ph right now and it went up from 6.8 to 7.2 . Is that fine for the cycle . Dont know why it went to 6.8 though

I think it should be ok usually if PH is very low 6's 6-6.2 can cause it. just keep watching your parameters.

 

Do you shake your ammonia testing solution bottles before using them? I could be way off base but I am thinking although the instructions don't mention it shaking any liquid before using will give more accurate results. It may not make any difference now if the bottles have been used quite a bit but it might so worth a try.

I have gotten in the habit of shaking any liquid before using so of course have always shaken mine. I always get a true zero reading in all of my tanks now that they are fully cycled.

Since your nitrites have spiked and are now zero and your ammonia goes down to at least .25 within 24 hours after adding it I have to think your cycle is complete. You want to do a water change to get those nitrates down and your tank will be ready for fish

 

Do you shake your ammonia testing solution bottles before using them? I could be way off base but I am thinking although the instructions don't mention it shaking any liquid before using will give more accurate results. It may not make any difference now if the bottles have been used quite a bit but it might so worth a try.

I have gotten in the habit of shaking any liquid before using so of course have always shaken mine. I always get a true zero reading in all of my tanks now that they are fully cycled.

Since your nitrites have spiked and are now zero and your ammonia goes down to at least .25 within 24 hours after adding it I have to think your cycle is complete. You want to do a water change to get those nitrates down and your tank will be ready for fish

I've never shook the ammonia bottles , only Nitrate #2 . I'll shake them next time and see If that does anything

 

Sometimes the ApI test will show .25 when its really zero( a lot of folks on here have experienced this ). The only way to be sure is test your source water and maybe test a bottle of spring water to compare the results.

Sorry to bother but I just bought a gallon of spring water & tested the ammonia in it and my tank again .

They both came out the same .. so would you say it's the test kit like you said or would you say this is 0ppm? It looks like .25ppm to me but I read spring water isn't supposed to have ammonia. Not sure what to think

 

Sorry to bother but I just bought a gallon of spring water & tested the ammonia in it and my tank again .

They both came out the same .. so would you say it's the test kit like you said or would you say this is 0ppm? It looks like .25ppm to me but I read spring water isn't supposed to have ammonia. Not sure what to think View attachment 667119View attachment 667120

Yup looks like your test kit is off.25 like many others have also experienced.

 

Sorry to bother but I just bought a gallon of spring water & tested the ammonia in it and my tank again .

They both came out the same .. so would you say it's the test kit like you said or would you say this is 0ppm? It looks like .25ppm to me but I read spring water isn't supposed to have ammonia. Not sure what to think View attachment 667119View attachment 667120

That actually looks yellow enough to me to be considered zero. I have to think your cycle is done.