Cycling trouble

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Els9547

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Sep 4, 2008
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We have a 25g freshwater tank that doesn't seem to be growing ANY kind of bacteria at all.

We are at day 23 now, with a group of tiger barbs and an algae eater but my nitrate and nitrite levels are still at zero, and have been the entire time. We have an ammonia level that peaked at .5 and has been hanging around .25ppm (doing water changes every other day about 25%).

Someone recommended adding some biostart to kick things into gear and we did about five days ago. Still nothing. Not only that but my biowheel looks as clean and new as the day we set it up.

What's going on? Shouldn't I be seeing some kind of nitrite levels by now?? Any suggestions??
 
A typical cycle takes from 4-6 weeks, although it is a bit odd that you haven't seen any nitrite levels yet, it isn't unheard of. If your tank is planted that may be why you are not getting any nitrite or nitrates showing up. Just continue to check your tank. Good luck.
 
you can go to your LFS and see if they will give you some gravel from one of their (healthy) tanks to boost your cycle. or if there is a local fish club or anyone you know with a tank who can donate to your cause.
 
i'd look into the fish club or fellow aquarist before the store.. while both are feasible options for seeding the tank, the store can harbor some nasty diseases. :)
 
So, things have gotten much worse in the tank...

I have been doing 50% water changes daily in order to keep the ammonia in check, and even with that have only been able to get it down to .50. Used some ammo-lock two days ago. This morning I woke up and the tank was a little bit cloudy and when I checked the levels tonight ammoina had skyrocketed off the charts at 8 ppm! In 24 hours!!! The nitrate was at 5ppm and no nitrites, pH of course had fallen all the way down to 6. I immediately moved my little group of barbs to a spare 55 gallon that I had laying around (it was cleaned and ready to go) but I just don't understand what the deal is???

We're at about a month now, is my cycle supposed to be this crazy and out of wack??? I tested the tap water and it was nearly perfect, no ammonia or anything else, 7.0 pH, and the only thing I have added was the ammo-lock two days ago as well as the biostart before that.

Also, my biowheel is BARELY turning...it is still moist but the filter pad as well as the wheel seem perfectly clean...

any advice?? suggestions??? can I just leave my tank as is now and let it work since the barbs are out of there???

Thanks in advance!!! This has completely got me stumped!
 
Sounds like the ammolock screwed with your PH which is why your bacteria went off the charts like that I would guess. Even with fish and high ammonia I would advise AGAINST putting ammolock in your filters.

As far as you biowheel try to adjust the sprayer bar to hit it properly, ergo making it move and rotate. It may take some finessing but you'll find the "sweet spot".

In general, biostart (or any of that other crap) is just a huge waste of money. Its generally dead bacteria in a bottle which will only deplete your money and do absolutely nothing for your tank. I speak from personal experience on this one.

I would remove the ammo lock from your filters and let the tank continue cycling. Also, do you have any plants in the tank that could be absorbing the nitrates (this could cause a silent cycle).

To suppliment for the loss of your fish and ammonia source try finishing your cycle with ammonia (get the kind without surfactents). This should finish your cycle quickly without endangering your fish.

Good luck.
 
You also do not want to do too many water changes. Your tank needs a bit ammonia to cycle into nitrites and nitrates.

My suggestion would be to get some "gunk" like the others have said.
 
Buju said:
You also do not want to do too many water changes. Your tank needs a bit ammonia to cycle into nitrites and nitrates.

My suggestion would be to get some "gunk" like the others have said.
Click to expand...

When fish cycling the more water changes the better. Anything over 0 ppm ammonia and nitrite is toxic to fish, but probably will not cause lasting damage unless over 1 ppm. However it is still very uncomfortable to the fish in any amount. Keeping the levels at or below .25 ppm is generally the preferred method of fishy cycling. Water changes cannot hurt or stall a cycle.

I would remove the ammo-lock as it is most likely interfering with the bacteria growth. No ammonia = no bacteria to convert it to nitrite. So ditch it and go with water changes and Prime to help the fish through the cycle. Seeding it from another tank is the best option however.
 
What kind of test kit are you using?

Do not add ammonia to the tank since it has fish in it.
 
rbishop said:
What kind of test kit are you using?

Do not add ammonia to the tank since it has fish in it.
Click to expand...

I mentioned ammonia b/c if you read above he/she actually has taken the fish out of the tank :rolleyes: ergo the need for some source of ammonia to finish the cycle :duh:
 
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