Cycling mayhem!

[Greggz]

I think you are on the right track. As long as you have a good ammonia source, basically pure ammonia plus water, you should be good. A quick check is to shake the bottle. If it gets foamy, it's no good.

If anything, I would raise the level of ammonia a bit. Maybe more like 5 to 6 ppm. I would guess you should be seeing Nitrites any time now.

 

[Alannahmay]

Can you post a picture of your ammonia source? Also your PH is a little low.

Sure can! Ingredients: filtered water,ammonia

 

[Alannahmay]

Sure can! Ingredients: filtered water,ammonia

View attachment 216794

 

[Alannahmay]

Can you post a picture of your ammonia source? Also your PH is a little low.

Yes, have some Texas holey Rock to be added

 

[NeverFadeAway86]

with the low ph could have a low kh which makes the ph not stable and not able to buffer. if you are getting Nitrates it would mean the ammonia would have to lower. maybe your ammonia has surfactants which could kill off your bacteria, but if you are seeing nitrate that shouldnt be the issue. if I were in your shoes, I would do a large water change (50-60 percent) and then dose the tank to bring it up to 2 ppm ammonia wait 24-48 hours and test again

 

[tanker]

Well, ammonia and all looks good. A tank usually takes about 6 weeks to cycle from scratch. Ammonia usually drops at about the 10th-15th day anyway. I am worried a little about the PH. The cycle runs better on a higher PH and so will your Africans.

Measure again this weekend. Do not do anything till then.

 

[Alannahmay]

Well, ammonia and all looks good. A tank usually takes about 6 weeks to cycle from scratch. Ammonia usually drops at about the 10th-15th day anyway. I am worried a little about the PH. The cycle runs better on a higher PH and so will your Africans.

Measure again this weekend. Do not do anything till then.

Alright thanks so much

 

[FreshyFresh]

Alanna, sorry if it's been mentioned, but crank the heat up in the tank to the high 80's and run an air stone in it to help speed things along.

It's VIP ammonia! It's GOT to be good! I went all out and used "Austin's" brand ammonia from the dollar store. It was the only one I could find locally that did not have dyes, perfumes or surfactants in it.

 

[Alannahmay]

Alanna, sorry if it's been mentioned, but crank the heat up in the tank to the high 80's and run an air stone in it to help speed things along.

It's VIP ammonia! It's GOT to be good! I went all out and used "Austin's" brand ammonia from the dollar store. It was the only one I could find locally that did not have dyes, perfumes or surfactants in it.

I have it cranked to 82 f right now and I know I looked every where Walmart, canadian tire, Home Depot, finally found it at a local grocery store. But I'm trying o just be patient... It's so hard!

 

[tanker]

I know it's hard, but gives you time to choose the cichlids you want to keep. Then more time to change your mind and re-decide. Then just when you think you have decided, you will want a different fish and have to re-choose combatable tank mates.