Im trying to cycle my new 180 gallon with pure ammonia, but i dont seem to be gaining any progress. The tank has good flow, temp 85, wet dry filter, tanks been running for 4 days. I added the ammonia 4 days ago. The ammonia level is 8.0 ppm. Added nutrafin cycle the first day, added good amount of bio media from my established 45 gallon tank (including a filter pad) into the sump. My problem is that the bacteria doesnt seem to be growing, as the ammonia level hasnt changed at all yet. Theres still no nitrites after 4 days, even though i even added lots bio media from my old tank. Any suggestions? I might just drain the tank and cycle it using fish.
fishless cycling problems
- Thread starter messesb52
- Start date
Ammonia level is probably too high and if it measures 8ppm it may be higher, don't the test kits max out at 8? 4-5ppm is optimal in my experience.
Cycling with fish is not a good idea. Just do the fishless cycle right.
Cycling with fish is not a good idea. Just do the fishless cycle right.
You need to be patient and follow the directions in the thread that was posted in your other thread. Don't expect big changes in only 4 days. 
Sent from my ADR6350 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Sent from my ADR6350 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
must have skimmed the fishless cycling sticky. it's not an overnight deal. no cycling process is. regardless, you're looking at a couple of weeks for your bacteria colony to propagate.
Why not use seachum stability . It's only £20 a bottle.
Just don't rush it as others have said.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Just don't rush it as others have said.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
ok im going to do a water change and use seachem stability and see if i notice any difference. I cant believe that even with a whole filter pad from my eheim canister filter in the sump theres no nitrites.
Darn my local pet store didnt have any seachem stability
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
This is just my opinion but I don't think bacteria would thrive on the pad. Can you move the whole canister over? Or is there media you can move too? It may work but it'll probably take almost as long as an unseeded cycle.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
even microscoptic amounts of bacteria from an old cartride is enough to kick start a cycle.. theproblem is bacteria are living organisms.... 8ppm + ammonia will actually kill your bacteria. imo anything higher then 4pmm is flirting with disaster.. which is why previousely cycled tanks will sometimes bomb and recycle... ammonia gets jacked up to the point it kills the bacteria colony.
50% wc and keep it under 4ppms. should cycle just fine.
50% wc and keep it under 4ppms. should cycle just fine.