Sudden Ammonia And No Nitrates?

I'm in the midst of cycling my tank, and it's actually been done for a few weeks, and I just hadn't had time to go to the store for a fish. So I haven't been testing it everyday, but last time I tested it (about a week ago) there was definitely zero ammonia or nitrites, and about 5.0ppm nitrates.

Today I was going to go to the store, so I tested the water again to make sure and it came up with:

Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm

Now, yesterday my filter was broken for about ten hours (it's working fine now) and I posted that on here. But I was told it would be fine as it was still wet. I also did a water change yesterday as the guide I've been following says to do that at the end of a fishless cycle before you put fish in. I can understand how that would cause a drop in nitrates, but not the ammonia. Does this mean the cycle is starting again and I have to wait? Or is there anything I can do about it?

 

Have you kept up feeding with ammonia while wating for fish?

 

I'm in the midst of cycling my tank, and it's actually been done for a few weeks, and I just hadn't had time to go to the store for a fish. So I haven't been testing it everyday, but last time I tested it (about a week ago) there was definitely zero ammonia or nitrites, and about 5.0ppm nitrates.

Today I was going to go to the store, so I tested the water again to make sure and it came up with:

Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm

Now, yesterday my filter was broken for about ten hours (it's working fine now) and I posted that on here. But I was told it would be fine as it was still wet. I also did a water change yesterday as the guide I've been following says to do that at the end of a fishless cycle before you put fish in. I can understand how that would cause a drop in nitrates, but not the ammonia. Does this mean the cycle is starting again and I have to wait? Or is there anything I can do about it?

What are you using for an ammonia source? And how long has your tank been cycling? What are you using to test the water?

 

I've just been putting pure ammonia in, but I haven't since I checked it last week bc it was down to zero and I thought that was the point?

It's been cycling for about two months, and I've been using API test kits to test them.

 

No, you have to constantly add a source of ammonia to keep the tank cycled. You might be able to save it, but more likely you're going to have to re-cycle your entire tank.

You keep adding a source of ammonia until you get fish, and then they will add all the ammonia you need themselves.

 

As asked in a previous post, is it possible that you weren’t feeding the ammonia enough?

You should maintain ammonia at about 2 ppm during the cycling process.

 

A newly cycled tank is still in a delicate condition. If you weren't feeding it for a week the bacteria could very well have started dying off and that die off is what is causing the low ammonia reading.

You may have thrown this tank into a mini-cycle. Go ahead and add your normal amount of ammonia now. Once you get the cycle on track continue to feed the bacteria up until the day before you get your fish. On that day do your water change.

If your tank is able to process at least 2ppm ammonia in 24 hours you can go ahead and add your full stock of fish all at the same time.

 

Ah okay I didn't realise I had to keep putting ammonia in, thank you!!

 

Ah okay I didn't realise I had to keep putting ammonia in, thank you!!

If I read it right you are only going to have a Betta in this tank. If that is correct you don't need to be able to process 2ppm ammonia. 1ppm should be plenty.