Can't get tank to cycle?

rackmsukr

rackmsukr

Member
I have a 29 gal QT tank that I am trying to cycle. It has been cycling for almost 2 months now, but I can't seem to get the Nitrites to get back down to zero. I have an Emperor 400 filter, bare bottom, some pieces of PVC and a small powerhead in the tank. SG is 1.025, PH is 8.1, temp is 77. My ammonia is staying at zero and I am ghost feeding 1-2 times a week. I did a 10% water change yesterday & my Nitrites are at 10 and nitrates are at 40 and have been for a while now. Am I just being impatient or do I need to do something to it to help it along?
 
chrgerondavins

chrgerondavins

Member
no rock or sand is making it difficult to cycle. Nitrates will probably NEVER be zero without LR and LS. I'd say its as cycled as it will ever get.
 
metweezer

metweezer

Active Member
You need some LR in there to start the cycle. You can always remove it later. Right now the only thing being cycled is the water through your emperor.
 
chrgerondavins

chrgerondavins

Member

Originally Posted by metweezer
http:///forum/post/2533467
You need some LR in there to start the cycle. You can always remove it later. Right now the only thing being cycled is the water through your emperor.
If the rock is removed, it will re-cycle to an extent. I leave liverock in my QT tank, I'd get some and leave it. Not too much. Even still, your nitrates will never be 0 without proper amount of LR, and even still may not.
 
metweezer

metweezer

Active Member

Originally Posted by ChrgerOnDavins
http:///forum/post/2533472
If the rock is removed, it will re-cycle to an extent. I leave liverock in my QT tank, I'd get some and leave it. Not too much. Even still, your nitrates will never be 0 without proper amount of LR, and even still may not.
Chrger,
What I am saying is if he has to medicate or hypo he can remove the LR. But without anything in there (no LR LS) how can he break the bacteria down to get rid of his nitrites?
 
rtspeed

rtspeed

Member
stop ghost feeding as the cycle is complete, try doing it only once ever 2 weeks as this is the cause of the high nitrites.
 
D

dennis210

Guest
In a QT with no sand or LR you basically have a fish bowl of sea water.
Your filter has probably cycled already. The Emporer 400 is okay for a QT, just remember you are going to have to do water changes to export out the nitrates. The filter allows for Ammonia to break down to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate, and then stops with no denitrification possibilities. This is fine for a QT. Do a few water changes, get temp up to 79, stop feeding the empty tank, and go ahead and start using it for new arrivals.
 
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