Hi all,
So today is my 23rd day of cycling and I'm really getting stressed out with the whole process. I originally started with 2ppm Ammonia when cycling, I had to wait a few days to receive my test kit but fed the tank a little on those days in between. When I got my test kit the readings were 2ppm Ammonia 0.25 nitrate and 5ppm nitrate. I was surprised to see nitrates but carried on regardless.
However since my first test noting has changed bar a few days ago my ammonia spiked to around 4ppm, I had used fish flakes so it's to assume it just degraded more over time, the nitrites also dropped but I think that was more to do with evaporation as about 1/8 of the water had evaporated with my mesh lid and fans. I asked for advice and was recommended to try bringing ammonia down to 1ppm via water changes which I did on Friday and didn't test again till today (Monday) and it showed 2ppm ammonia 0 nitrites and 5ppm Nitrates. pretty much the exact readings I have been getting since I started 23 days ago. I have tested tap water and bathroom water numerous times and they all show 0 presence of each, I've also checked expiry on tests but they are in date and are working.
Tonight I brought it down again to 1ppm with a water change to try and get it atleast going and I can then gradually dose up to 4ppm.
I feel like I've done something wrong I know it can take up to 8 weeks to fully cycle but 23 days and not a single drop in ammonia seems ridiculous. And I always have a reading of Nitrates even after the water change as well??
Should I start the whole thing again and dose liquid ammonia I just bought or is it worth persevering with this?? I'm really at my wits end with this, I completely understand the cycle it just doesn't seem to want to give me any results.
Ph is 7.4-7.6
Temp is always between 18/19 Celsius with my fans.
Also doing this fishless my guys are doing fine in their containers I just want them in their home asap.
So today is my 23rd day of cycling and I'm really getting stressed out with the whole process. I originally started with 2ppm Ammonia when cycling, I had to wait a few days to receive my test kit but fed the tank a little on those days in between. When I got my test kit the readings were 2ppm Ammonia 0.25 nitrate and 5ppm nitrate. I was surprised to see nitrates but carried on regardless.
However since my first test noting has changed bar a few days ago my ammonia spiked to around 4ppm, I had used fish flakes so it's to assume it just degraded more over time, the nitrites also dropped but I think that was more to do with evaporation as about 1/8 of the water had evaporated with my mesh lid and fans. I asked for advice and was recommended to try bringing ammonia down to 1ppm via water changes which I did on Friday and didn't test again till today (Monday) and it showed 2ppm ammonia 0 nitrites and 5ppm Nitrates. pretty much the exact readings I have been getting since I started 23 days ago. I have tested tap water and bathroom water numerous times and they all show 0 presence of each, I've also checked expiry on tests but they are in date and are working.
Tonight I brought it down again to 1ppm with a water change to try and get it atleast going and I can then gradually dose up to 4ppm.
I feel like I've done something wrong I know it can take up to 8 weeks to fully cycle but 23 days and not a single drop in ammonia seems ridiculous. And I always have a reading of Nitrates even after the water change as well??
Should I start the whole thing again and dose liquid ammonia I just bought or is it worth persevering with this?? I'm really at my wits end with this, I completely understand the cycle it just doesn't seem to want to give me any results.
Ph is 7.4-7.6
Temp is always between 18/19 Celsius with my fans.
Also doing this fishless my guys are doing fine in their containers I just want them in their home asap.