First Fishless Cycle

**flyinfool2** · 02-18-2013, 03:33 PM

Still no drop in Ammonia levels today after 12 days cycle. I wonder if I should just start over by draining the tank and buying some Prime, re-dose with new water and try again. I used NovAqua conditioner before, and I think I also added some API Quick Start in the beginning. Not sure if this would hinder the BB. What do you think?

**flyinfool2** · 02-19-2013, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Mister Limpet

I wanna see pics of the SpongeBob bubbler in action!

Here you are!

**gsxrated98** · 02-19-2013, 03:31 AM

@flyinfool - I was at my local ace today, and saw the janitorial grade ammonia, but it said 10% ammonia on the bottle. Is that the same one you purchased? I thought we're looking for 100% pure ammonia.

**Cliff** · 02-19-2013, 11:05 AM

You can use pure ammonia at any concenration. As long as there are no additives you will be fine

**flyinfool2** · 02-19-2013, 01:39 PM

Yeah, same bottle I purchased. I don't know if you can get 100%, that would seem quite potent and dangerous I think. The 10% easily brought the tank up to 3ppm with just a half teaspoon or so.

**imma24** · 02-19-2013, 01:47 PM

I would not start over - sometimes it takes a while for the ammonia to drop. Do you have your heater on? Bacteria grow faster in warmer water.

Remember, you need to wait until your ammonia drops to 0 before you add more - there is also no need to test your pH while the tank is cycling because it will flucuate.

**flyinfool2** · 02-19-2013, 01:59 PM

Heater on 82, haven't added one drop of ammonia since day one.

**imma24** · 02-19-2013, 02:47 PM

Just curious - what are you using to test your water? A liquid test kit or strips?

**flyinfool2** · 02-19-2013, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by andreahp

Just curious - what are you using to test your water? A liquid test kit or strips?

API liquid test kit

**imma24** · 02-19-2013, 03:08 PM

And you haven't touched your filter?

I know when others have had this same issue, we all try and figure out what could be stalling things. Every tank is different and some take longer than others, but I agree - almost 2 weeks is a bit long to see no drop in ammonia for fishless cycling. I'm wondering whether reducing your ammonia to 2ppm might help? You could try a small water change and see what happens.

It happens that sometimes people dose too high for their tank size and their ammonia never drops.