180 gallon cycling problem

[twhittle]

I purchased a 180 gallon setup with a mega flow 4 sump filter (including all media) several weeks ago. I set it up and used some gold fish to start my cycle. After a couple of weeks my ammonia and nitrites were gone so I thought I was cycled. I have since added about 12 cichlids ranging from from 4-12 inches.

Well, my tank apparently wasn't cycled as I have been doing 50% water changes every 1-2 days to keep ammonia levels at .25. This has been going on for about 3 weeks since I put the cichlids in. Any thoughts on how long this might take to cycle? Is my stock load too big for a tank that is cycling? Is there bioload too great for the cycle to happen? Any thoughts are appreciated that would help answer my cycling question.

 

[Jesseliu13]

I purchased a 180 gallon setup with a mega flow 4 sump filter (including all media) several weeks ago. I set it up and used some gold fish to start my cycle. After a couple of weeks my ammonia and nitrites were gone so I thought I was cycled. I have since added about 12 cichlids ranging from from 4-12 inches.

Well, my tank apparently wasn't cycled as I have been doing 50% water changes every 1-2 days to keep ammonia levels at .25. This has been going on for about 3 weeks since I put the cichlids in. Any thoughts on how long this might take to cycle? Is my stock load too big for a tank that is cycling? Is there bioload too great for the cycle to happen? Any thoughts are appreciated that would help answer my cycling question.

You shocked ur filter by heavily increasing the bioload in a short amount of time. Keep doing what you are doing until water is out of its mini cycle. Which could take up to 1 month


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[Littlefishjoe]

You shocked ur filter by heavily increasing the bioload in a short amount of time. Keep doing what you are doing until water is out of its mini cycle. Which could take up to 1 month


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Yep just shocked your system, could go get some BB in a bottle to help cycle it faster.


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[catfishacr]

Your tank was probably cycled. Bacteria though only populate to the size needed to support the given bio load. So, adding 12 fish at once overwhelmed your bacteria population and it will need to catch up. which will take time. To speed things up try using Tetra safe start, ive had great success with this product. If I were you, id go get a few bottles and dose for 180 gallons. Then keep checking your parameters and add more safe start anytime you detect any ammonia. Another tip, if you have easy access dump the safestart right into your filter. Id bet you would be set in a matter of a few days! good luck. Also in the meanwhile if water changes cant keep your ammonia levels low. Using prime will detoxify the ammonia and nitrite for 24hrs.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...=pla&catargetid=530005150000113554&cadevice=c

 

[pops]

you bombed your tank, and i understand a 180, i run one, Tank is over stocked, tank takes 6 to 8 weeks to cycle if temps at 76, lower the temp longer the cycle time. regardless reduce the stock, filters do not remove nitrate just process ammonia to nitrite to nitrate, no matter how many filters you have, x amount of ammonia will always = x amount of nitrate, water change schedule will always be the same. IMHO

 

[jaws7777]

Get 3 bottles of safestart each bottle treats 75 gal.. but like pops said your really over stocked 12 cichlids on a 180 is too many. Aggression issues and lack of territories will lead to stress which woll lead to illnesses

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[xraycer]

Yep, too many fish, too fast. All you can do now is do large water changes(30%+) every other day until your bb catches up to your new bio load. Using Prime or Safe with w/c will also help with the ammonia and nitrite