i have a 125 gal tank that i have been cycling for 3 weeks. the ammonia and nitrate have been right around .25ppm to 1ppm. i just checked it today and the nitrate is up to 5ppm. what does this mean? and what am i doing wrong.
i need help, cycling has me stumped
- Thread starter champlin42
- Start date
if you are getting nitrate readings then your almost there! stay patient, if you want...you can add some bio boost and it might speed it up a bit. Can you borrow some media from a friend? do you mean nitrite>?
Doug
Doug
It should go.
Ammonia spikes very high
Nitrite Spikes very high
Ammonia drops to zero
Nitrite STAYS high for a while
NitrAte spikes to around 40-80ppm
Nitrite drops to Zero
then you do a big water change which brings the nitrAtes down to around 20
Then you add fish.
Sounds like you werent using as much ammonia as is preferred.
If you are still getting a reading for Nitrites and Ammonia. You are not cycled yet.
Do not do a water change. Even if you do have Nitrates
I would continue adding ammonia. Just add it every other day until the only readings you have are NitrAte around 40-80ppm
You may need to up the dosage amount of ammonia and it may take longer. but its worth it if you are planning on stocking your tank right away with a lot of fish or any large fish.
Ammonia spikes very high
Nitrite Spikes very high
Ammonia drops to zero
Nitrite STAYS high for a while
NitrAte spikes to around 40-80ppm
Nitrite drops to Zero
then you do a big water change which brings the nitrAtes down to around 20
Then you add fish.
Sounds like you werent using as much ammonia as is preferred.
If you are still getting a reading for Nitrites and Ammonia. You are not cycled yet.
Do not do a water change. Even if you do have Nitrates
I would continue adding ammonia. Just add it every other day until the only readings you have are NitrAte around 40-80ppm
You may need to up the dosage amount of ammonia and it may take longer. but its worth it if you are planning on stocking your tank right away with a lot of fish or any large fish.
you mean 
