Fishless Cycling

[Krispen]

I've cycled numerous tanks with fish in them without any problems, but am struggling with my 75 gallon axie tank. Through "circumstance" I ended up with 7 juvies all at once. I had a 40 gallon breeder that was almost completely cycled and them moved up to a 75 gallon. Kept all my substrates water and filter (added another filter as well). Well I keep getting stuck at unsafe nitrite levels and needing to change water frequently. Employee at LFS says this is prolonging my cycle. Finally I took everybody out in large Tupperware with clean water and hides, added heater cranked up and closed hood. Going to attempt to speed up cycle and finish fishless.

Ammonia- 0
Nitrites-2
Nitrate-3

I hear I need to "feed" tank with ammonia daily as it continues to cycle.

Any advice?


Thanks

 

[Jennewt]

Are you using blackworms, by any chance? I have had problems with blackworms increasing nitrite in tanks, sometimes catastrophically.

You can "feed" the tank with fish food, rather than directly with ammonia.

 

[michael]

Just back off on feeding a little. Don't do to many huge water changes. With juveniles in that big of tank it should come around pretty quick.

 

[auntiejude]

Can you get some of the 'tank starter' stuff with the required bacteria in it? I used the pearls available over here to speed up the initial cycling, and it took 3 weeks to get established.

 

[ess1dk]

I used my axolotls poo to cycle my 55 gallon.

 

[Kaysie]

I would add all the waste water from your tupperware tubs back into the tank. No need for any additional ammonia sources!

 

[Krispen]

Hey guys- thanks for input- I'm adding waste from my guys and a little ammonia as well- today 0.0 ammonia prior to addition, 5.0 nitrites and 80 nitrates!!!! Going to do a 50% change tomorrow and continue to watch. I did also start a bio stability treatment- Stability by Seachem. On day 6 of 7 days of treatment. I hope the end is in sight. Do not feed blackworms- just bloodworms and earthworms.