Will this cycling process ever end!

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009.

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  1. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    Having nitrates isn't a problem. Are you showing ammonia or nitrite still? What kind of test kit are you using? I have not heard of a tank taking 7 weeks to cycle and still have ammonia. It may not be fully stable but should not be showing any nitrite or ammonia after 7 weeks.
     
    ZachB, Sep 17, 2009
    ZachB, Sep 17, 2009
    #21

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  2. Puffer Chick

    Puffer Chick Giant Squid

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    when i tested 3-4 days ago ammonia had gone up to 10, it was 0 the time before that, and i tested nitrite as well during that time, i forget the reading but it wasn't at 0 yet. And i use the Red Sea liquid test kit, and i took a sample of water last weekend to the lfs, and i saw on their little test card thing, that their readings were the same as mine.
     
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    #22
  3. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    Wow. Got some bad juju. I don't think my ammonia ever reached 10... my first 30 gallon was done cycling in 3 weeks and ammonia levels spiked but were still low. Is someone cleaning with Windex or other cleaner around the tank?
     
    ZachB, Sep 17, 2009
    ZachB, Sep 17, 2009
    #23
  4. Puffer Chick

    Puffer Chick Giant Squid

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    so i just tested nitrite and its still at 0.05, it's been reading this for past few weeks now, i tested ammmonia, but i have to wait 15 minutes
     
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    #24
  5. Puffer Chick

    Puffer Chick Giant Squid

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    nope the only thing that i've been cleaning my tank with is for the inside a scrubber thing that i bought at pestmart, and for the outside a towel, and tank has been chemical free since day one
     
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    #25
  6. Puffer Chick

    Puffer Chick Giant Squid

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    so it's been 15 minutes, and ammonia reads 0.25
     
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    #26

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  7. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    I can't imagine why after 7 weeks you would still have ammonia! Sorry, can't help you on that one.
     
    kcbrad, Sep 17, 2009
    kcbrad, Sep 17, 2009
    #27
  8. Puffer Chick

    Puffer Chick Giant Squid

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    yup, it's very frustrating, the color in the tube isin't even yellow, it's a lime green type so the closest reading to that would be the 0.25
     
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    #28
  9. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    Was the rock from a reputable dealer? Die off is normal. However, everything that could / should have died, should be dead already.
     
    ZachB, Sep 17, 2009
    ZachB, Sep 17, 2009
    #29
  10. Puffer Chick

    Puffer Chick Giant Squid

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    rock was from a lfs, which was originally shipped from fiji, when i picked up the box of rock at the lfs, the box still had the fiji address of where it came from. And i've had a lot of white rock, which i think is the die off, and a lot of it is now being covered in diatoms
     
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    Puffer Chick, Sep 17, 2009
    #30
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