Cycling Problems

[JKfish]

I've been cycling my 10 gallon tank for almost a month now, and the cycle has been stuck with the nitrites at 5.0 or higher for the past week. Is this normal? Also, the two chunks of shrimp I'm using to cycle are pretty much gone, there's still meat there, however the piece are probably a quarter of the size they were when i stuck them in. Also, I'm wondering if it's providing the tank with enough ammonia to cycle. Do you think I should add another piece of shrimp?

[sjones]

off topic but-
1. it's been a month already? Arg! I should start a cycle
and
2. How are the worms? mwahaha

[mjbn]

Well i don't think its a problem about if theres enough ammonia... because the nitrite level wouldn't be so high then right? Maybe its at the peak of the nitrite levels now, and it'll lower soon. I guess just wait another couple days and see if the nitrites lower and the nitrates start going up.

[JKfish]

Sjones: Almost a month, I think there are still 5-6 days until it's really been a month... I think. I'll admit, I've sorta lost track of the exact day I started XD

The worms are still there, but they're still tiny and clinging to the glass :P

Mjbn: right. then I'll wait a while and see what happens.

[Fermin]

Hi there. What were your ammonia and nitrate readings when your nitrites were 5ppm? With only the nitrite levels we can't see where you are in the cycle process... Has your ammonia dropped yet?

Some other things to consider:

-You might want to test your tap water straight from the faucet to see if it's a source of nitrites.

-Type of filtration. Undergravel filters take longer to cycle.

-pH. Acidic water (~pH 6) slows the nitrification process.

-Water temp. Colder water slows the nitrification process.

Hope this helps!

[JKfish]

My Ph is 6.8

Ammonia: 0 to maybe .1

Filteration: a hang on back filter (aquaclear 20 set on it's lowest)

Water temp: 77 degrees

I'm not able to test my tap water at the moment, but when I do, I'll be back with the results. :)

thanks

[kuklachica]

What are your nitrAte levels? We'd need to know that to know where the process is at right now.

What else do you have in there, i.e. gravel, decorations, filter media, etc.?

You might want to bump up your temp a bit. Higher temps = faster bacteria production.

[Mizzle]

Originally Posted by JKfish

My Ph is 6.8

Ammonia: 0 to maybe .1

Filteration: a hang on back filter (aquaclear 20 set on it's lowest)

Water temp: 77 degrees

I'm not able to test my tap water at the moment, but when I do, I'll be back with the results. :)

thanks

Ammonia is at 0
NO2 - ?
NO3 - ?
If your aquarium does not have a constant flow of ammonia your bacteria will have no food to convert ammonia to NO2 then NO2 to NO3.
If your NO2 levels are as low as 5ppm it sounds like your cycle has stalled due to lack of ammonia.

[Mizzle]

Your aquarium should have a constant reading of ammonia until you have a solid reading of nitrates (NO3).

[1077]

Originally Posted by JKfish

Sjones: Almost a month, I think there are still 5-6 days until it's really been a month... I think. I'll admit, I've sorta lost track of the exact day I started XD

The worms are still there, but they're still tiny and clinging to the glass :P

Mjbn: right. then I'll wait a while and see what happens.

Is what I would do. (wait) As mentioned above,, at pH below 7.0 bacteria develops more slowly than it does in alkaline waters with ph above 7.0 but that should not be cause for alarm nor would I attempt to adjust pH.
When bacteria develops to process the nitrites and render nitrAtes, then you will begin to see nitrite levels fall to zero.
What test kit are you using? some strip style test kits aren't all that helpful and API Freshwater Master kit would provide results that are a bit more reliable.
In any event, patience is needed during this time and would also remember not to disturb,replace,or clean the filter material until the tank has (cycled).

You should see ammonia spike and fall to zero,nitrites spike (usually within two weeks, and fall to zero,and will probably see NitrAtes in excess of 30 ppm. Then perform large water change before placing fish(s) in the tank.
No two tanks in my expierience will mature at the same rate so something to keep in mind.