cycle on five gallon

[gesswhosbak]

OK i started cycling my five gallon about 3 weeks ago. I used arag-alive reef sand and a dead shrimp. I am running a penguin mini. I put the shrimp in for a day and when i tested the next day the am. was off the charts. I took the shrimp out after only one day and have been letting it circulate now for about 3 weeks. The am. is still off the charts. Should I start over or just let it keep circulating? Any help would be well appreciated, THANKS!

 

[birdy]

Do you have any LR in the tank? If you added a couple small pieces (5lbs or so) then that will help with your biological filtration. I wonder if you just don't have enough biological filtration for your tank.

 

[dreeves]

At this stage..I wouldn't really see how LR would benefit him in such a small tank...the Penguin is sufficient.
Let your tank run its course...it will come about.

 

[birdy]

It just seems like three weeks with no decrease in the level of ammonia is a bit unusual, especially in such a small tank. I just wonder if the mini biowheel has enough biological capabilities for a saltwater tank, with no LR in it (although the sand should create biological filtration too). If there had been some decrease in the ammonia level I would say it is just cycling still, I have had tanks have high nitrites for quite a while, but the ammonia level usually starts to drop within a couple weeks.

 

[gesswhosbak]

Thanks guys, ill let it run its course for the rest of the week and maybe weekend on to next week. If I dont see any decrease I may do a small water change. I will continue to be patient, I know thats the most important skill to learn.