I have been trying a fishless cycle for the first time and not having much luck.I make it through the ammonia spike,and the nitrite spike,but when the nitrites come down to zero,and I do a water change to drop the nitrates,the ammonia and the nitrites go up(1.00 ppm each).I am cycling a 55 gal. tank and I'm putting 1/2 tsp of ammonia in every day(I started with 1 tsp to get the ammonia level up to 4-5 ppm). Any ideas!
Fishless cycle problems
- Thread starter jbobb1
- Start date
I changed about 75 % of the water. I'm following the guidelines in a article I read on the internet. I have'nt checked the chlorine, but I will.
Thats one water change. I just checked ammonia and nitrite levels again today. Ammonia is back down to 0, but the nitrite level is up over 2.00 ppm.
A Fishless cycle is pretty catastrophic. A massive water change at the end is the procedure.
What are you using as a water conditioner? Do you know if your water company adds chloramines? If you don't do a water change do your tests zero back out the next day?
What are you using as a water conditioner? Do you know if your water company adds chloramines? If you don't do a water change do your tests zero back out the next day?
I'm not using any type of conditioner? Not sure about the chloramines. Is there a way I can test ? I have been trying this since Feb.(this is my third attempt). I'm keeping tabs on the ammonia and nitrites daily,and this time when I have zero levels, I'll see if it will stay there for a day or two before I do a water change. Rigt now I have zero ammonia and 4.00+ nitrite.
Are you on city water or on well water?
Here's your water report from 2001. The city supply is chlorinated, didn't see anything about chloramines. You can call or just assume they exist.
You'll need a water conditioner (assuming you're on city water). Most folks like Prime or Amquel… I'd go with one of those. Whatever you get should "neutralize" or "remove" chlorine, chloramines and ammonia.
The nice folks at the water company are putting that chlorine in there for one reason and one reason only: it kills bacteria. Even the good bacteria.
Here's your water report from 2001. The city supply is chlorinated, didn't see anything about chloramines. You can call or just assume they exist.
You'll need a water conditioner (assuming you're on city water). Most folks like Prime or Amquel… I'd go with one of those. Whatever you get should "neutralize" or "remove" chlorine, chloramines and ammonia.
The nice folks at the water company are putting that chlorine in there for one reason and one reason only: it kills bacteria. Even the good bacteria.