Biocube Stuck During Cycling

[johnbob]

I have never seen this before. I am cycling a Biocube 14 and I added raw shrimp to the tank. My ammonia spiked and I removed the shrimp when it hit .5. Its been 2.5 weeks now and I am on the 7th week of my cycle and the ammonia will not drop. Also I am seeing no nitrites or nitrates. The tank is a quarantine tank and I have no live rock or sand. Anyone have any idea why the cycle seems to have stopped?

 

[clay12340]

There isn't much surface area to provide home for the bacteria if you've got no rock or sand in the tank. Try adding a cheap sponge filter or something that you can discard after treating. They should be readily available and less than $10.
Even with very little surface area in the tank I'd expect it to cycle at least to a point.

 

[johnbob]

I have a sponge filter, and bioballs so I'm confused as to why it isn't cycling.
Any other ideas?

 

[bonebrake]

Take a scoop of sand and/or a small rock from an established tank and put it in there. You may need to introduce the bacteria necessary to convert the ammonia to nitrite and the nitrite to nitrate.
:joy: