Tank parameters all over the place/not cycling?

[rolloverpudding]

Hi guys,

so i had to completely re-cycle the tank (a long story) and, i've been trying since christmas and i need to get my axi back in it before i go on holiday. she's in a temporary set up which needs big water changes every day, and i'm going away for 5 days. there's no one i can leave with that burden, i was hoping the tank would be okay by now.

i need some advice, please!

the last few days, my readings have finally started changing, and i've had more than 0.25 or 0.5 ammonia. they've been as follows (as for the ranges, i am a little indecisive and can't usually decide on exactly which colour it is. i'm using the api freshwater test kit) - they just seem all over the place and i'm at a loss of what to do at the moment.

26/01
ammonia: 1ppm
nitrite: 0.25-0.5ppm
nitrate:10-20ppm

27/01
ammonia: 0.5-1ppm
nitrite: 2ppm
nitrate:5-10ppm

28/01
ammonia: 2-4ppm
nitrite: 2-5ppm
nitrate:40ppm

29/01
ammonia: 4ppm
nitrite: 2ppm
nitrate:20-40ppm

30/01
ammonia: 2-4ppm
nitrite: 1ppm
nitrate: 10-20ppm

and as for pH, it's between 8.0 and 8.2 at the moment! proper pH 7.0 powder wasn't seeming to neutralise the tank water. any other ideas?

how can i get the tank ready for her to be in before monday morning?

 

[Kaini]

Umm what method are you using to cycle the tank? Pure ammonoia?

 

[rolloverpudding]

can't find anywhere to get hold of pure ammonia, so have just been 'feeding' the tank. i also put a couple of live worms in there to decompose, but apparently they don't die, they just live underwater for a week or two before kicking the bucket. this was news to me

 

[Kaini]

Errrrrr feeding the tank with what? Each time your ammonia drops you should dose it back up to 4ppm if you want it to cycle. This is why it's best to use pure ammonia to cycle your tank - I believe your readings are all over the place because there isn't enough ammonia for the bacteria to consume.

 

[snuggly time]

To be honest it's not doing too bad. At least you have nitrates in there! It took me 3 months to cycle mine. When do you go on holiday?

 

[axowattyl]

To be honest it's not doing too bad. At least you have nitrates in there!

That was my take on it too.

Maybe stop adding any decomposing worms or whatever your using to build up ammonia, and do a 20% change daily with nice dechlorinated water until you see no ammonia and your nitrates are about 10ppm?

It's obviously converting the ammonia to nitrates, so maybe stop trying to make more ammonia and see where you end up.

Then if it's all good, stretch your water changes out further while testing daily, and you should find that happy service interval required for your tank.

That's how I'd go about it, but there are people on here who probably know more about cycling than I do who could offer more detailed advice.

Funny thing was my standard 4 footer took over a month to cycle, but my 6x2x2 was converting ammonia to nitrates in 2 weeks.

Only difference was the big tank has HEAPS of planted driftwood that I bought with large seasoned plants on it, which may have helped.

 

[rolloverpudding]

@kaini, i've tried feeding the tank with frozen brine shrimp and frozen bloodworms as well, which annoyingly, just makes a huge mess to clean up thank you, though. i've been trying to get it up to 4ppm each time but, yeah, it's much harder without the pure ammonia. i think i'll have to look online.


@beks, i go on holiday on monday morning as in i have 2 full days to get it cycled before i leave and she needs to, ideally, be in there :/

@axowattyl, thank you, that seems like it could be a good plan. i'll have to speed it up a little, and i'll some of use my axi's old water to replace the water in the tank each time. i have recently added some live plants to the tank, within the last week or so, one is attached to a small bit of wood, one onto a coconut husk, so i'm hoping they'll help (fingers crossed)


thanks for your replies, guys, i have a little more hope, now!

 

[snuggly time]

If it's not cycled do you have a back up plan? Like a friend or family member who can take care of your axie? If not you could see if there's anyone experienced in your area on this forum willing to take care of them for you?

Or know somebody with a cycled tank where you can take some of their media to boost your cycle?