Tank Cycling: I need help

[InfiniteGlory]

Bahamut, I PM'ed you the link to the spreadsheet on my google drive. let me know if you have any problems getting the file.

[Hallyx]

Originally Posted by InfiniteGlory

...water temperature is around 80F but I can turn it up to help. My HOB filter has an outlet sponge baffle. It doesn't stop the flow, just baffles the surface turbulance. I can remove it if you think it is hurting more than helping at this time.

so I am using my tap as the ammonia source. I am using Prime to condition the water though. Should I hold off since that may neutralize the ammonia too much?

...

80* is fine. Sponge baffle on the outlet is just more room for the bacteria colony. 2.0ppm ammonia out of the tap? Your water provider ought to be sued. But it's fine for feeding nitrifying bacteria. Prime converts ammonia to ammonium which plants like even better.

[InfiniteGlory]

I was shocked too at what was coming out of my tap I am just continuing to let it run and taking daily samples to track the progress.


Here is what I got last night from the tank. The ammonia a few days ago was around 1 and it has been coming down. While my nitRITE has been coming up from 0 and the nitRATE has been coming up from 5
Ammonia <.25
nitRITE 5
nitRATE 40

[Hallyx]

If your nitrite gets >5.0ppm it can slow or stall your cycle. Do a 50% change to bring it back in range.

You're almost there.

[InfiniteGlory]

well....I was going to go to bed, but this seems kind of important. I will do a 50% change right now then.

[InfiniteGlory]

Alright, after doing a 50% WC and conditioning the new water with Prime and Stability here are the numbers 24 hours later

Ammonia; 0.25
nitRITE; 2
nitRATE; 20

I will wait to see if everything drops to 0,0,<20 or do a water change if the nitRITE gets back up to 5

[InfiniteGlory]

I did a water change less than 24 hours ago and here are the numbers.

Ammonia; 0.50
nitRITE; 0.5
nitRATE; 20

I did swish my sponges around in the removed tank water, cleaned the inside walls of the tank with a sponge and did a 50% WC. So I am hoping my cycle starts soon my betta wants out of the 1 gallon.

[Hallyx]

UNtil your tank is fully established (cycled for a few months), don't wipe or clean anything, especially the walls (except for the viewing wall). You need all the bacteria you can get.

The hardest part of tank cycling is exercising patience.

[InfiniteGlory]

OK. I will remember that.

[InfiniteGlory]

My tank was a little low on water so I added about a liter of conditioned water after taking the following reading.

Ammonia; 0.25
nitRITE; 0.25
nitRATE; 30