Fishless cycling not working, please help!

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Discuss all topics related to freshwater and planted tanks.


shabby82
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 11:08 pm

Fishless cycling not working, please help!

by shabby82

I'm trying to do a fishless cycle on a 20 gallon aquarium set up 3 weeks ago. However the ammonia level hasn't gone down and the nitrites and nitrates remain at zero. I'm not sure what isn't working. The filter is an aqua clear 30. The water temperature is set at 80 degress. I've been leaving the light off and have the water level a bit lower than all the way to the top trying to increase oxygen flow. I haven't used any chemicals except tap water dechlorinator. I've included pictures of my test kit and the ammonia that is being used. Since I got the filter used I'm wondering if I should replace it with something better. I wanted to put used filter media or gravel in to help out, but no one else has an aquarium I can take used media from. I'm stuck as to where to go from here. Any help that can be provided would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
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tekneb
 
Posts: 211
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 3:45 am

by tekneb

Did you ask your pet store for some used filter media? They'll usually give you some at no charge.


Alasse
 
Posts: 993
Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 5:35 am
Location: QLD Australia

by Alasse

Do not add anymore ammonia, you obviously added too much for the level to be that high. I would do a 50% waterchange & leave it be and be patient. Adding established media will help, but is not absolutely essential.


shabby82
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 11:08 pm

by shabby82

Thank you for the advice. I decreased the ammonia to about 3ppm. Hopefully this will help.

Fishless cycling not working, please help!

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