Helpppp! 7 months and tank isn't cycled?!

[Jay335]

I have a 180 with a 12" silver arowana a 10" peacock bass 7" gold severum 3 4" datnoids and a 9" black diamond.
Tank has been cycled before and had the same stock when they were babies for the last 7 months.

Have a wet dry filter filled with pot scrubbers bioballs ceramic rings and sponges. Is this not enough to support the bio load? Or are my pot scrubbers not effective? Ammonia is still high in the 1-2 range for the last few months but fish seems fine and still growing and eating.

First layer in the water is filled with pot scrubbers half of it submerged half not. Second layer is filled with ceramic rings and bioballs above the water. Last layer on top has carbon and sponges. Should I add some media in the water since there's no more room in my filter? It's a DIY 45 gallon sump.

Been cutting down on feeding for the past few months to the point that my stingray is skinny.

 

[tlindsey]

I have a 180 with a 12" silver arowana a 10" peacock bass 7" gold severum 3 4" datnoids and a 9" black diamond.
Tank has been cycled before and had the same stock when they were babies for the last 7 months.

Have a wet dry filter filled with pot scrubbers bioballs ceramic rings and sponges. Is this not enough to support the bio load? Or are my pot scrubbers not effective? Ammonia is still high in the 1-2 range for the last few months but fish seems fine and still growing and eating.

First layer in the water is filled with pot scrubbers half of it submerged half not. Second layer is filled with ceramic rings and bioballs above the water. Last layer on top has carbon and sponges. Should I add some media in the water since there's no more room in my filter? It's a DIY 45 gallon sump.

Been cutting down on feeding for the past few months to the point that my stingray is skinny.

You need to add additional filter asap up your wc's until you can add additional filtration. The Ray itself produces more ammonia than the other fish . Your filter is not keeping up with the bioload.

 

[MrsE88]

I'm confused, shouldn't the bio material be underwater? Or am I reading that wrong?

 

[tlindsey]

His filter is a wet/dry filter meaning water constantly rains down over the bio-media it also provides plenty of oxygen. The down side is the noise it produces.

 

[Drstrangelove]

Ammonia is still high in the 1-2 range for the last few months but fish seems fine and still growing and eating.

Been cutting down on feeding for the past few months to the point that my stingray is skinny.

"Ammonia in still high the 1-2 range" contradicts "fish seem fine and still growing and eating", unless your pH is around 6.

So you should take readings of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH and temperature and post them.

"fish seems fine and still growing and eating" contradicts "Been cutting down on feeding for the past few months to the point that my stingray is skinny."

Either you're feeding them and they are growing or you're not.


Your tank has plenty of size, so I agree with tlindsey that you might be far short in bio material. I also wonder if you have low pH which has stymied BB growth and saved the fish from ammonia poisoning.

Your tank isn't going to be adequate for that stock long term however.

 

[Bertie]

A wet dry really is only effective if the drip tray is good, there should be a couple mm of water in the tray to be most effective. I would just add more bio media or get a canister filter. For now, do two to three water changes a week

 

[#.$]

If you are limited on space due away with pot scrubs and or bio balls and use more ceramic. Eheim substrate Pro and buy a home ultimate media is a good choice when limited on space

 

[Jay335]

I agree with the drip tray. Going to redo it to make the holes smaller.

Just did a large 40% water change earlier. Water params are at 6 ph .50 ammonia nitrite 0 ppm and nitrate 5.0

Also bought a marinepure bio filter block. So hopefully that should be enough.

 

[twentyleagues]

Did you stop to think maybe the test is faulty?

 

[kelman]

I agree with the drip tray. Going to redo it to make the holes smaller.

Just did a large 40% water change earlier. Water params are at 6 ph .50 ammonia nitrite 0 ppm and nitrate 5.0

Also bought a marinepure bio filter block. So hopefully that should be enough.

No wonder why your tank doesn't maintain the cycle. The pH has to be neutral 7.0 or above. Your pH is 6.0 then the ammonia produce by the fish is in non toxic form therefore the nitrosomonas can not convert it to nitrite. Also starving the nitrobactor it need to convert to nitrate . Put some crush coral in your sump to increase your pH. Maintaining the pH is very important to the nitrogen cycle.