Urg - getting frustrated - did my cycle stop?

**fishmommie** · 05-04-2012, 05:11 PM

okay. after 10+ days of nitrite readings, they dropped to 0. Ammonia hovered between .25 - .50 for several days.
Wed, I finally saw a trace on Nitrates. Thursday Nitrates up to 2.5 or so + Nitrite .25 and Ammonia .25.
Today Ammonia .5, Nitrite.25 and Nitrate 20.
Had not done a W/C for 5 days.
Today did 60% W/C. 3 hours later readings are:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate trace.

Is this finally what's supposed to be happening?
thanks

**Cermet** · 05-04-2012, 05:46 PM

Do not need to do water changes unless the nitrates are over 50 ppm or so. Just every morning check the ammonia level, if less than 1 ppm, add ammonia to get it back to 1 ppm. If the ammonia is not added as needed, all the bacteria will stall in growth and the tank will not cycle fully. Don't worry if nitrites climb, that is normal. Just feed the bacteria as needed and measure - the tank will cycle. Takes four to six weeks. If desired, raise the temp to 80 and add an air stone can (but may not) help the cycle.

**fishmommie** · 05-04-2012, 05:53 PM

Cermet - thanks for replying but this is a fish-in tank that I've been trying to get cycled since early February.

Ammonia has always been present but I've rarely let it get over .5 for the sake of the fish. I am hoping that since I finally saw nitrites for several days, then the nitrates showed up this week and that now, after the W/C this morning my readings are A-0, Ni-0, NA-trace, that I finally have a cycled tank. Do you think it's possible?
thanks again

**fishmommie** · 05-07-2012, 01:22 PM

2-4 started 30 gal fw tank cycle with 7 fish (betta, 3 platy, 3 dwarf gourami).
made many mistakes but learned what to do here.
3-26 THOUGHT cycle was complete.
3-27 added 3 corys and 3 neon rainbows, baby pleco (which I will rehome when he gets bigger)
started seeing Ammonia again .25 - .5 consistently long term.
4-15, many water changes later, FINALLY started Nitrite spike Yay!
5-2 Nitrites ended and nitrates showed up. double Yay!
Thought I was good and finally done.
But then Ammonia (.25 - .50) arrived with the Nitrates again + a tiny show of Nitrites
5-5
A- 0
Ni trace
Nitra - 2.5
did 60% W/C

today's readings:
A.25
NI 0
NA 5

Am I cycled or still in flux?

And if not cycled, does anyone have ANY suggestions? Would more filtration help? I have an Aquean HOB filter that came with the 'kit' plus a Tetra Whisper submersible rated for 20 gal. 2 filter cartridges in each filter that I have not touched in over a month
Feeding flakes 1 time daily = 1 1/2 minutes to eat + 6 pellets for Betta + 3 small sinking pellets for Corys and pleco because there is 0 algae in the tank.

Would so appreciate suggestions.
thank you

**bignellm** · 05-07-2012, 01:31 PM

I would monitor to see if climbs further than 0.25ppm. It could just be a mini spike and tank might be a tad still in flux.

But on off chance, hows the water flow from the filters? Still high? A trickle?

**fishmommie** · 05-07-2012, 01:36 PM

I've got good water flow from the HOB. hard to tell with the submersible.

I worry that I'm never going to get this tank stable. An additional HOB rates for a 30 gal couldn't hurt, could it? Going to the LFS today and could pick one up.
Was hoping to also get 3 cories to fill out my school but I suppose I'd better hold off on that too??
thanks

**imma24** · 05-07-2012, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by fishmommie

I've got good water flow from the HOB. hard to tell with the submersible.

I worry that I'm never going to get this tank stable. An additional HOB rates for a 30 gal couldn't hurt, could it? Going to the LFS today and could pick one up.
Was hoping to also get 3 cories to fill out my school but I suppose I'd better hold off on that too??
thanks

Absolutely hold off - cories shouldn't go in there until the tank is completely cycled anyway - they are the most at risk of being affected by an uncycled tank.

It will happen eventually - and it never hurts to have additional bio filtration to grow more bacteria. It generally takes longer to cycle with fish anyway because you have to keep the ammonia level low so bacteria grows more slowly - but that's the breaks.

**fishmommie** · 05-07-2012, 01:52 PM

Thanks all.
I'm getting the extra filter today. Also getting some Aqua clear foam to stuff in it - hopefully to give the bacteria a better place to grow than the cartridges that come with the filter.
Next tank _ FISHLESS cycle all the way!

**fishmommie** · 05-11-2012, 03:58 PM

Hi
Need some advice.
Ammonia and Nitrites are settling down and I'm consistently seeing nitrates reading from 5 to 20. All good.
I'll have 0 Ammonia and nitrite readings for a couple of days then they bump slowly up to .25 then .50 at which time I do a 60% W/C.
Next day, a repeat: 0 readings, next day .25, next day .50 - and again a W/C

Instead of waiting for the Ammonia and Nitrites to slowly creep up, should I be completing back to back W/C (2 days in a row) or even 3 days in a row after seeing my 0 Ammonia and NItrIte readings?

Or am I doing what I'm supposed to do and just waiting it out, not doing W/C until I see the .5 reading - and eventually, both Ammonia and Nitrites will stabilize at 0 and the cycle will be complete?

(Reminder: 30 gal, cycling with fish (never again) over 2 months in progress. No losses)
Thanks!

**fishmommie** · 05-15-2012, 06:18 PM

Sorry for the double Thank you BUT ......... wanted to make sure you all know how much I appreciate the help.

You all have been so patient with me as I bumbled my way through a fish-in cycle on my 30 gallon FW tank.

Just want to thank all of you who answered my newbie posts, coached and counseled and got me through it. It took 3 months, but I didn't lose a fish and the tank is gorgeous!
Readings for 3 days straight: 0/0/5 Yea!!

Oh - and I also cycled a 5 gallon during this time. Sadly I lost a guppy but I suspect he had issues when I brought him home.

Anyway - thanks again!
PS - My only regret (besides NOT cycling fishless) was that I didn't buy an Aquean water changer until 2 weeks ago. Would have saved me sooo much work. LOVE that thing.