Tank was cycled...now it's not...

[vmadorin]

I'm losing my mind.

Saturday and Sunday: Ammonia - 0 ; Nitrites - 0 ; Nitrates - 30
Monday: had planned to check again, water, change, add my girl...wasn't feeling well so it didn't happen
Today: Ammonia - 0.5 ; Nitrites - 0.5 ; Nitrates - 40/50

Things that changed: I added a second filter about a week ago - that didn't seem to change anything. I kept the old one that's hang inside, but added a sponge as well.
Yesterday, since the tank seemed cycled and I was planning to add her, I put the fan back on it...

Why did this happen?!

I cried a little and then I "fed" the tank again with 3 pellets and some BB. I'm just really not sure what's happening. Insights??

 

[MnGuy]

How long has it been up and running? How many days did it go from 0 to the current results? If it’s just one day I wouldn’t stress — just give the cycle more time.

You added a sponge filter into the tank in addition to the old filter and new filter? Or did you replace the cycled filter media in the old filter with the sponge? If it’s the last one, that would be the cause.

Good luck.

 

[vmadorin]

How long has it been up and running? How many days did it go from 0 to the current results? If it’s just one day I wouldn’t stress — just give the cycle more time.

You added a sponge filter into the tank in addition to the old filter and new filter? Or did you replace the cycled filter media in the old filter with the sponge? If it’s the last one, that would be the cause.

Good luck.

It was 0, 0, didn't test, 0.5 - so those results were over 4 days. I've been testing at night and this morning I testing in the morning, so I'll try it again and see. Not sure if that matters but I don't think it should!
I left the original filter and added a sponge as I read I needed more filtration.
I have been "ghost feeding" and the people in the axolotl group at saying I need to be using pure ammonia...and I know that recommendation but I just didn't feel super comfortable doing that. Would you recommend that as well??

 

[Calgarycoppers]

If you are only feeding with pellets your beneficial bacteria bed is likely not sufficient to deal with the heavy bioload.

We recommend the pure ammonia dosed at 4ppm daily until your tank can convert it all to nitrates within 24 hours as axolotls are dirty dirty creatures and need a strong beneficial bacteria bed.

 

[minorhero]

I like ghost feeding as well. The reason people like pure ammonia is for exactly what you are experiencing. It goes to feeding does not produce ammonia instantly, it takes a few days. So undoubtedly what happened is you had some food that had not yet decomposed to produce enough ammonia for your beneficial bacteria to bloom, but then they did decompose enough and you saw a ammonia spike. This is pretty typical and is why a cycle usually takes 2 weeks to 6 weeks on average. in other words it was just a little bit too quick for you to be done with the cycle.

 

[vmadorin]

I like ghost feeding as well. The reason people like pure ammonia is for exactly what you are experiencing. It goes to feeding does not produce ammonia instantly, it takes a few days. So undoubtedly what happened is you had some food that had not yet decomposed to produce enough ammonia for your beneficial bacteria to bloom, but then they did decompose enough and you saw a ammonia spike. This is pretty typical and is why a cycle usually takes 2 weeks to 6 weeks on average. in other words it was just a little bit too quick for you to be done with the cycle.

One of the main concerns seems to be that ghost feeding isn't going to produce enough ammonia to handle and axolotl. I'm hearing it over and over. I have finally just accepted that and ordered the ammonia, but do you have personal experience with this??

 

[vmadorin]

If you are only feeding with pellets your beneficial bacteria bed is likely not sufficient to deal with the heavy bioload.

We recommend the pure ammonia dosed at 4ppm daily until your tank can convert it all to nitrates within 24 hours as axolotls are dirty dirty creatures and need a strong beneficial bacteria bed.

So I want to make sure I fully understand. I does to 4 ppm (not sure how many drops). I check that its at 4 ppm by doing an ammonia test with the master kit? What is the best way for knowing one has dosed to 4 ppm?

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Yes - depending on your ammonia and tank size will determine how much you have to add.

Its generally an add a little stir tank then test and dependnig on results add more to get to approx 4ppm

 

[MnGuy]

It was 0, 0, didn't test, 0.5 - so those results were over 4 days. I've been testing at night and this morning I testing in the morning, so I'll try it again and see. Not sure if that matters but I don't think it should!
I left the original filter and added a sponge as I read I needed more filtration.
I have been "ghost feeding" and the people in the axolotl group at saying I need to be using pure ammonia...and I know that recommendation but I just didn't feel super comfortable doing that. Would you recommend that as well??

But how many weeks has your tank been cycling? It can take a long time to cycle a tank, especially a coldwater tank. Tanks cycle much faster when the water temperature is much higher.

Patience is the key here. I think the easiest way to cycle a tank is to used someone else's cycled filter media, drop in fish food every now and then and wait.

Honestly, I feel like most cycling "problems" I see here and on fish forums is people wanting to rush the cycle. It can take more than a month! I know that sucks, but it is what it is.

 

[vmadorin]

But how many weeks has your tank been cycling? It can take a long time to cycle a tank, especially a coldwater tank. Tanks cycle much faster when the water temperature is much higher.

Patience is the key here. I think the easiest way to cycle a tank is to used someone else's cycled filter media, drop in fish food every now and then and wait.

Honestly, I feel like most cycling "problems" I see here and on fish forums is people wanting to rush the cycle. It can take more than a month! I know that sucks, but it is what it is.

Oh for sure! It's been about a month. I did include some media from another tank I had, but that tank wasn't anywhere close to the same load. I guess I just got excited because it finally seemed done...