Cycling Problem! Help Please

[ds450x]

I started the cycle on my tank with base rock and pure ammonia. I didnt relize it but the ammonia went up to 4ppm or 5ppm and 0 of nitrates and nitrites after day one. After a week and a half my ammonia is zero, my nitrites are 5ppm at least and my nitrates are 160ppm at least.
What should I do? Should I just let it keep going until my nitrites zero out or what?

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by ds450x
http:///forum/post/2737410
I started the cycle on my tank with base rock and pure ammonia. I didnt relize it but the ammonia went up to 4ppm or 5ppm and 0 of nitrates and nitrites after day one. After a week and a half my ammonia is zero, my nitrites are 5ppm at least and my nitrates are 160ppm at least.
What should I do? Should I just let it keep going until my nitrites zero out or what?
Please excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean buy "pure ammonia"? Your readings after a week are very out of wack. Nitrites at 5 is very high, and nitrates at 160 is off the charts way too high for only a week of time...without more info at this point I would start over, and just ghost feed with a piece of shrimp or something of the sort...is this what you meant by "pure ammonia"?

 

[ds450x]

Anyone?

 

[ds450x]

Alot of people on this forum and other forums explained to me that I can just use pure ammonia from a grocery store. I dont think I should start over because the cycle got rid of my ammonia completely and turned it into nitrites and they are turning into nitrates like that are suppose to but they are just a little high. Should I just do a bigger water change to get everything to get back where they should be and then let it finish?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by ds450x
http:///forum/post/2737455
Alot of people on this forum and other forums explained to me that I can just use pure ammonia from a grocery store. I dont think I should start over because the cycle got rid of my ammonia completely and turned it into nitrites and they are turning into nitrates like that are suppose to but they are just a little high. Should I just do a bigger water change to get everything to get back where they should be and then let it finish?
If it were me I would do a super large water change. Even 100% if you can do it. The ammonia was fine to use, just a couple drops is all you should have needed though.

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by ds450x
http:///forum/post/2737455
Alot of people on this forum and other forums explained to me that I can just use pure ammonia from a grocery store. I dont think I should start over because the cycle got rid of my ammonia completely and turned it into nitrites and they are turning into nitrates like that are suppose to but they are just a little high. Should I just do a bigger water change to get everything to get back where they should be and then let it finish?
I have never heard of using ammonia. (are you talking cleaning ammonia?) I would never put this in my tank, and would be concerned you have ruined your tank contents...are you sure this is what they meant? Perhaps I am misunderstanding...If this is a viable option of cycling I apologize, but in 15 years in this hobby I have never heard of this method. A little high is an understatement IMO, not trying to be mean at all, but I would be extremely concerned and skeptical of these readings after one week. I think your tests are giving false readings from something else..IE..the ammonia. You could do water changes and see what that does for you as far as getting the numbers down. My main concern is the ammonia, but I learn something new everyday. Most often ammonia is gained buy some rotting organism...Again if I am misunderstanding what you are saying I apologize.
Well there ya go...Bang Guy would definitely know...Like I said...learn something everyday....are we talking the cleaning ammonia?

 

[ds450x]

So I should do a big water change and then test it and if there are still nitrites then should I just let it finish cycling?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by ds450x
http:///forum/post/2737477
So I should do a big water change and then test it and if there are still nitrites then should I just let it finish cycling?
Yes, exactly.
I would also suggest adding your "good" live rock about now as well if you were going to use any.

 

[coral-reefs]

I agree and would do several large water changes over the next couple of weeks. Are you going to setup a refugium? This would help keep nitrates low.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/2737476
Well there ya go...Bang Guy would definitely know...Like I said...learn something everyday....are we talking the cleaning ammonia?

Not Mr. Clean or anything that has "Ammonia added". Only pure Ammonium hydroxide (household ammonia) should be used. It is available.
I still prefer the uncured live rock method above all other methods.

 

[ds450x]

Im changing some water right now. Im gonna keep doing water changes until I get the number under control. I just added some lr 3 days ago.

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2737492
Not Mr. Clean or anything that has "Ammonia added". Only pure Ammonium hydroxide (household ammonia) should be used. It is available.
I still prefer the uncured live rock method above all other methods.
I will have to go to the store tomorrow to check it out. I remember when I was young, my mother pouring a yellowish liquid out of a bottle that simply said "ammonia", and cleaning with it. I hated the smell...this is the only ammonia I was aware of

. Just wondering if this is the same thing, or something completely different. Does this method increase the speed in which your tank cycles? I would think it would have to, to some degree as you would not have to wait for the "break down" time, so this would gain you some marginal time, but are there any real benefits, or problems, aside what this individual has run into? Eh, no reason to answer, this will give me something to research. Thanks for the lesson

.

 

[teresaq]

only use pure ammonia. many seahorse keeper use this method. I could look around and find the process for ya.
T

 

[ds450x]

Yes its just regular yellow ammonia that smelled bad that your mom use to use. I just added a little more than was needed and thats why the numbers are high so im gonna do a couple water changes over the next week or so. But they cycling is working because the tank got rid of all my ammonia so far and it turned it into nitrites and nitrates.

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by ds450x
http:///forum/post/2737523
Yes its just regular yellow ammonia that smelled bad that your mom use to use. I just added a little more than was needed and thats why the numbers are high so im gonna do a couple water changes over the next week or so. But they cycling is working because the tank got rid of all my ammonia so far and it turned it into nitrites and nitrates.
That is awesome...seems very quick to me. To think if the ammonia hit zero after one week, I can only assume the nitrites will take around the same amount of time. A 2 week cycle...I have never cycled under four. I know you can virtually eliminate a cycle with live sand and alot of live rock, but this is a far less expensive alternative, and reasonably fast. Best of luck friend, glad everything will work out for you

.

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by TeresaQ
http:///forum/post/2737522
only use pure ammonia. many seahorse keeper use this method. I could look around and find the process for ya.
T
I have a min pin...she is not a year old yet, and is ALL puppy. I also have two jack russels, and she puts them to shame on the "I'm a crackhead" meter. Dogs are the best

.

 

[teresaq]

Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/2737542
I have a min pin...she is not a year old yet, and is ALL puppy. I also have two jack russels, and she puts them to shame on the "I'm a crackhead" meter. Dogs are the best

.
the one in the picture is a full size, she was about 5 mo old there and 52 lbs.
We also have a jack
T

 

[ds450x]

So I did a 15 gallon water change last night and test the water when I got up this morning.
Last nights results:
ammonia- 0
nitrites- 5+
nitrates-160+
ph-8.2
This morning after last nights water change:
ammonia-0
nitrites-1
nitrates-20
ph-8.2
Im just gonna let the cycle finish doing its job with getting rid of the nitrites and my tank should be good to put a fish in. My ammonia has been at 0 for a couple days now. yay!