Over a month cycling help

I've been cycling my tank vlfor over a month now using the fishless fuel. 2 days ago I dosed the water again accidentally adding to my ammonia to where it got to 4 ppm, tested daily and today 2 days after my ammonia is reading 0 nitrites are between 1.0 and 2.0 ppm but my nitrates are off the charts at 160. I was told not to dose again until nitrites are 0 but should I do a big 75% water change?
Or do I just do a 50% water change then wait until nitrites are 0 then test again?

 

What would be the reason for the water change? High nitrates will not harm the cycle as far as I know. Once cycled (it appears close) a large water change will be required prior to adding fish.

 

What would be the reason for the water change? High nitrates will not harm the cycle as far as I know. Once cycled (it appears close) a large water change will be required prior to adding fish.

I'm not sure, I thought I read somewhere I was supposed to. So I do wait until the nitrites are 0 before dosing ammonia again? I'm just confused as to when it's actually cycled and how much ammonia to add

 

You can bring the ammonia back up to around 2 ppm. The tank is cycled when you do this and the following day ammonia & nitrite readings are 0 ppm.

 

If this is the same water you put in this tank at the start of this cycle then I do recommend you do a water change. The fresh water will replenish the minerals that get depleted during the cycling process. This water change will also lower both nitrites and nitrates.

If this tank has been cycling for over a month it is possible it is actually cycled but is too far out of balance. I would go ahead and do the 75% water change. Once done add enough ammonia to get it up to no more than 2ppm. This should get things moving forward quickly.

 

If this is the same water you put in this tank at the start of this cycle then I do recommend you do a water change. The fresh water will replenish the minerals that get depleted during the cycling process. This water change will also lower both nitrites and nitrates.

If this tank has been cycling for over a month it is possible it is actually cycled but is too far out of balance. I would go ahead and do the 75% water change. Once done add enough ammonia to get it up to no more than 2ppm. This should get things moving forward quickly.

Okay thank you! Do you know how much ammonia I should add? I followed the instructions on the bottle but that put me at 4ppm. It's the fritz fishless fuel and I'm doing a 10 gallon tank

 

Okay thank you! Do you know how much ammonia I should add? I followed the instructions on the bottle but that put me at 4ppm. It's the fritz fishless fuel and I'm doing a 10 gallon tank

If following the instructions put it up to 4ppm then just add half of what's recommended and you should be at 2ppm.

 

If following the instructions put it up to 4ppm then just add half of what's recommended and you should be at 2ppm.

This is after the 75% water change. Is it okay to add the ammonia even though there's still nitrites?

 

This is after the 75% water change. Is it okay to add the ammonia even though there's still nitrites?

Yes, I recommend you add ammonia each time it drops to or very close to zero. some folks recommend letting both ammonia and nitrites drop to zero before adding more ammonia. I don't. I recommend we keep the ammonia eating bacteria fed until both ammonia and nitrites drop to zero. At this point in the cycle though, if ammonia drops to zero within 24 hours I would only add it every other day instead of daily.

 

Yes, I recommend you add ammonia each time it drops to or very close to zero. some folks recommend letting both ammonia and nitrites drop to zero before adding more ammonia. I don't. I recommend we keep the ammonia eating bacteria fed until both ammonia and nitrites drop to zero. At this point in the cycle though, if ammonia drops to zero within 24 hours I would only add it every other day instead of daily.

Thank you so much for all of your help! I was wondering, this is my tank I'm cycling does it look okay for 3 adf? Since it's only 10 gallon I don't want to add to many. I have the feeding dish on the way

 

Thank you so much for all of your help! I was wondering, this is my tank I'm cycling does it look okay for 3 adf? Since it's only 10 gallon I don't want to add to many. I have the feeding dish on the way

You are so very welcome.

Very pretty little tank. I've never had frogs nor have I read up on their requirements so am not sure what they need to be comfortable. I am thinking they stay really small. I don't know about their activity level so don't know if they need more room. I do have to think having 3 in this tank wouldn't be a problem though.