Axolotl tank won't cycle. HELP!

[Michknightt]

Hello all!
Bit of a back story, but I got a 35 gal long tank in July and started the cycle process immediately. Got my prime and stability, added appropriate amount of ammonia, used media filter, heater, air stone. Since starting my ph is 7.6 ammonia is 4 but nitrites and nitrates have not moved from zero. Am I doing something wrong? I read 12 weeks is the usual cycle process but I am not seeing any movement. Please advise! Thanks in advance!

 

[John]

Nitrites shouldn't be measurable at this point. Nitrates would be but do you have plants or something in there? If so, the nitrate level maybe negligible.

 

[Michknightt]

Nitrites shouldn't be measurable at this point. Nitrates would be but do you have plants or something in there? If so, the nitrate level maybe negligible.

No live plants. But why isn't ammonia converting to nitrites?

 

[John]

No live plants. But why isn't ammonia converting to nitrites?

There's usually some level of ammonia measurable in a cycled axolotl tank, though it should be very low. If the cycle is complete then you should be able to measure some nitrate, unless you have a planted tank and the levels before the plants weren't huge. Nitrite usually converts rapidly to nitrate when the cycle is established, so you shouldn't be able to measure nitrite after this long.

 

[John]

If the cycle isn't going at this point then something is killing the bacteria.

 

[Michknightt]

There's usually some level of ammonia measurable in a cycled axolotl tank, though it should be very low. If the cycle is complete then you should be able to measure some nitrate, unless you have a planted tank and the levels before the plants weren't huge. Nitrite usually converts rapidly to nitrate when the cycle is established, so you shouldn't be able to measure nitrite after this long.

So once my ammonia drops do you think I'd be okay to buy an axolotl?

 

[John]

So once my ammonia drops do you think I'd be okay to buy an axolotl?

Well, we need to figure out how it's gone this long and not produced any nitrate. Here's something you could try: buy an axolotl and keep it in a tub and change the water every few days. Put the old water in the aquarium and check the water chemistry over the following 24-48 hours, starting about an hour after adding the old axolotl water.

You can keep an axolotl like this forever if you're diligent, just keep a regular cleaning schedule, do a total water change each time, and make sure the water is about the same temperature at each change.

 

[Michknightt]

Well, we need to figure out how it's gone this long and not produced any nitrate. Here's something you could try: buy an axolotl and keep it in a tub and change the water every few days. Put the old water in the aquarium and check the water chemistry over the following 24-48 hours, starting about an hour after adding the old axolotl water.

You can keep an axolotl like this forever if you're diligent, just keep a regular cleaning schedule, do a total water change each time, and make sure the water is about the same temperature at each change.

I do have 3 cats. Any worry with that process?

 

[John]

I do have 3 cats. Any worry with that process?

There are several solutions to that problem:

1. Get rid of the cats (my preference).
2. Use a lid.
3. Put the tub inside an aquarium with a mesh terrarium lid.
4. Variations on the above.

I would probably do both 1 and 2 .

 

[Michknightt]

There are several solutions to that problem:

1. Get rid of the cats (my preference).
2. Use a lid.
3. Put the tub inside an aquarium with a mesh terrarium lid.
4. Variations on the above.

I would probably do both 1 and 2 .

Hahahaha. Sorry I'm a crazy cat Lady. Not happening. I will most likely go with number 2 and keep the cats out of the room