First Fishless Cycle

[flyinfool2]

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.

Haven't touched the filter either. I think I will bring the ammonia down to 2 ppm with some new water and a dose of Prime.

[flyinfool2]

Question about my tap water:

I recently tested it out of curiosity, and after treating with Prime, the tap shows .25 ppm ammonia (from broken down chloramine most likely). Will this be a problem once the tank is established and cycled when doing partial water changes? I assume the BB will be able to consume it before it is harmful to the fish.

[Cermet]

No, the filter bacteria will handle that low dose of chloramine without an issue - this from others who have posted on this exact issue.

[flyinfool2]

So after 14 days, and no change, I decided to start again. I have put new water in the tank after treating with Prime. I waited about 24 hrs, then dosed 2ppm ammonia. 24 hrs later, I notice a white cloudy bacterial bloom. Is this normal and okay to see so early in a fishless cycle?

[flyinfool2]

4 weeks into this fish-less cycle and there has been no drop in ammonia.....not sure what to do now. 29g tank, 82 degrees F, aquaclear 50, topfin 30, air stone, 2ppm ace janitorial ammonia, treated water with prime

[flyinfool2]

So I decided to test for nitrAtes and nitrItes, after I have only been testing for ammonia the last four weeks. Today I get 0.5ppm nitrItes, 10ppm nitrAtes, and between 1-2ppm Ammonia......some progress I guess

[flyinfool2]

Tank is cycled, stocked, and all parameters look good! Thanks to all for the help and input.