125g Cycling -- What happened?

[IRoman]

About 3 - 4 weeks ago I filled up my 125g tank, after filling up my tank it took me some time to get my filtration flow right so today, I'm on my 15th day of fishless cycling.

Everything has been going well so far. I got my ammonia spike right away (by adding clear ammonia). On my 10th day, I started my Nitrite spike. The Nitrite spike was going strong on the 13th day (@2.0+).

I didnt test my tank on the 14th day because of how things were going.

On the 15th day (today) I tested my ammonia, it tested at 1.0

I then tested my Nitrites... .50

This cant be right? I should be spiking still

My Nitrates tested at 5.0, shouldnt they be way off as well?

Is my tank where it should be or did I lose my beneficial bacteria? I have been adding a tiny bit of ammonia everyday

 

[zennzzo]

About 3 - 4 weeks ago I filled up my 125g tank, after filling up my tank it took me some time to get my filtration flow right so today, I'm on my 15th day of fishless cycling.

Everything has been going well so far. I got my ammonia spike right away (by adding clear ammonia). On my 10th day, I started my Nitrite spike. The Nitrite spike was going strong on the 13th day (@2.0+).

I didnt test my tank on the 14th day because of how things were going.

On the 15th day (today) I tested my ammonia, it tested at 1.0

I then tested my Nitrites... .50

This cant be right? I should be spiking still

My Nitrates tested at 5.0, shouldnt they be way off as well?

Is my tank where it should be or did I lose my beneficial bacteria? I have been adding a tiny bit of ammonia everyday

Ok as you have nitrates present your Bacteria is also present and working...since you backed off on the ammount of added ammonia, there will be a slight fluxuation in your ammonia and nitrites...keep adding the clear ammonia daily, at the 1/2 start ammount... the bacteria count will still increase and those ammonia and nitrite values will drop to zero and your nitrates should go to 40ppm or less...
I am assuming you de-clorinated the water first with stresscoat or equivalent.

 

[fishingaddict]

hm.. i just got a 125gallon tank too, i cycled it for about 5 days adding eco-start and some dechlorinator. i added fish and everythings fine.. 2 freshwater tarpon and a peacock bass.

 

[IRoman]

Ok as you have nitrates present your Bacteria is also present and working...since you backed off on the ammount of added ammonia, there will be a slight fluxuation in your ammonia and nitrites...keep adding the clear ammonia daily, at the 1/2 start ammount... the bacteria count will still increase and those ammonia and nitrite values will drop to zero and your nitrates should go to 40ppm or less...
I am assuming you de-clorinated the water first with stresscoat or equivalent.

Okay, I will keep adding amonia. I didnt de-clorinate the water, Im guessing I need too? What does that do?

hm.. i just got a 125gallon tank too, i cycled it for about 5 days adding eco-start and some dechlorinator. i added fish and everythings fine.. 2 freshwater tarpon and a peacock bass.

Maybe I would be okay to add the fish? I was thinking about just doing a big water change and adding 2 O's and a common pleco

 

[Taboojen]

Yah.. you need to de-clorinate the water going into your tank because the chorine can wipe out the beneficial bacteria you are trying to grow.

Okay, I will keep adding amonia. I didnt de-clorinate the water, Im guessing I need too? What does that do?




Maybe I would be okay to add the fish? I was thinking about just doing a big water change and adding 2 O's and a common pleco

 

[IRoman]

Yah.. you need to de-clorinate the water going into your tank because the chorine can wipe out the beneficial bacteria you are trying to grow.

Oh okay, any particular brand I should get?

Thanks guys

 

[fishingaddict]

my fish are fine..

i duno brands well, i guess its just watever u prefer, but i used these

dechlorinator

eco-start

 

[IRoman]

Sounds good fishingaddict, Ill try to get to the store tomorrow to pick some up

I cant do it today because I have to be on the road for about 10 hours

 

[IRoman]

Well I didnt have to make my drive today Soooo.... I went ahead and picked up the Kordon dechlorinator and.....


I couldnt take it anymore, After a month of waiting, I picked up two tiger O's and a Pleco

I tested my tank again today, 0 ammonia (maybe just a tiny bit) and O nitrites and 5.0 Nitrates

I bought the fish because I keep hearing O's are hearty and everyone said they should be fine. I will be WC everyother day to keep them happy

 

[IRoman]

The Tiger Oscars dont move very much yet, They are sticking together very closely (like constantly swimming beside each other), When they do swim, they are swimming against the current from the return line...Should I worry?

One of my dogs were very interested in what was moving around in the tank