This is my 7th tank set up over 50G and I have never had this happen.
50g SeaClear System II - Set up 6 weeks ago. Added fish 4 week ago.
I have not been doing fishless cycling and so far I have not had any issues - minor short spikes in ammonia and nitrites as they moved through the cycle and done.
However the difference is the tank/filtration system. I normally use Fluval canisters on my 55, 75 and 90’s. So I am leaning toward the system II filtration system being the difference in my cycling.
Last week my ammonia spiked - and spiked - and spiked. I tried everything but when I lost one fish and was making no progress I moved my fish to a QT tank. STILL - ammonia is off the charts.
Using API master freshwater test kit - readings and tap water are not the problem. Accurate readings on all other tanks and tap water levels are not elevated. Zero across the board.
I have tried seeding the tank with substrate from my existing tanks, water changes like crazy, adding bacteria supplements (Colony), and finally today I took it down 50% and added filter media and water from my Fluval 405. I practically starved the fish while they were in there trying to get past the ammo spike and fish have been out of tank for 3 days. No change! Ammonia still off the charts, zero nitrites and nitrates. Just added another dose of Colony because I realized that when the fish were in the tank, the addition of AmmoLock probably rendered the Colony ineffective. Still - I am losing my mind here - why is it stuck and what more can I do to get this thing to cycle?!?
50g SeaClear System II - Set up 6 weeks ago. Added fish 4 week ago.
I have not been doing fishless cycling and so far I have not had any issues - minor short spikes in ammonia and nitrites as they moved through the cycle and done.
However the difference is the tank/filtration system. I normally use Fluval canisters on my 55, 75 and 90’s. So I am leaning toward the system II filtration system being the difference in my cycling.
Last week my ammonia spiked - and spiked - and spiked. I tried everything but when I lost one fish and was making no progress I moved my fish to a QT tank. STILL - ammonia is off the charts.
Using API master freshwater test kit - readings and tap water are not the problem. Accurate readings on all other tanks and tap water levels are not elevated. Zero across the board.
I have tried seeding the tank with substrate from my existing tanks, water changes like crazy, adding bacteria supplements (Colony), and finally today I took it down 50% and added filter media and water from my Fluval 405. I practically starved the fish while they were in there trying to get past the ammo spike and fish have been out of tank for 3 days. No change! Ammonia still off the charts, zero nitrites and nitrates. Just added another dose of Colony because I realized that when the fish were in the tank, the addition of AmmoLock probably rendered the Colony ineffective. Still - I am losing my mind here - why is it stuck and what more can I do to get this thing to cycle?!?
