[Mandy Pandy]

Hello! I've been cycling my tank with the raw shrimp method for a little over a month (shrimp was removed after two weeks) and I'm wondering if I'm almost done. Ammonia has been stuck at 4.0 ppm for about two weeks now, nitrite has always been at 0, but three days ago I received a nitrite reading that is now between 5 and 10 ppm. My tank is moderately planted. I find it strange that I'm getting a nitrate reading when I've never gotten a nitrite reading but after doing the test a few times the readings keep coming up the same. Should I do a water change? Am I on the right track and I should just be patient for a few more weeks? Thanks in advance!

 

[Fieldz]

Yea, you are on the right track, but there is something wrong with the ammonia. If you can get water, filter media or substrate from an established aquarium, do it. It will help you alot. Also, you can buy more plants from an aquarium store, they always come with bacteries to help cycling your aquarium faster.

Good luck!

 

[Mandy Pandy]

Erk... I mistyped. It should read that I received a nitrate reading.. not a nitrite. Nitrite has forever been at 0 ppm. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who has an aquarium already. I did order some java moss and other plants from ebay though that came from other tanks.

 

[Mandy Pandy]

So I should just wait a few more weeks then?

 

[Olympia]

What test kit are you using and how often have you been testing?
If your ammonia is stuck and no nitrite is present, sounds like there is little bacteria. :s

 

[Fieldz]

I think you ruined your cycle dude. Better start it all over from zero again. If you have ammonia readings and dont have nitrite that means there are no bacteries present to transform the ammonia intro nitrite then into nitrate. If you have nitrate readings that means your tank was cycling right but something went wrong, as its the final product of the bacteries.

 

[Olympia]

Actually, if it's only been two weeks, I'd give it some more time.
As long as ammonia wasn't overdosed at first 7+ppm, which a shrimp wouldn't do, then it could just be going slowly.

 

[Mandy Pandy]

It's been almost 5 weeks since I started. I'm using the API freshwater master test kit. The ammonia was over 8ppm in the beginning. In the past two weeks it has gone down to 4ppm.

 

[Olympia]

High ammonia will your cycle.
I don't know if it'll complete normally now that it's at an acceptable level.. You should probably restart your cycle. If ammonia goes over 6ppm do a water change, the bacteria doesn't function properly with that high ammonia.