Why Won't My New Aquarium Cycle?

Question

I recently decided to re-start an aquarium I shut down during a move. I set everything up, added a couple of hardy fish, and waited for the cycle to begin. It began, but it won't finish! After the ammonia spiked, my starter fish started showing signs of ich (likely a result of the stress of the ammonia spike). In order to treat it, I removed the fish from the aquarium, and used Quick Cure on the fish (I didn't add any Quick Cure to the aquarium, as the chemicals in it kill beneficial bacteria). I then upped the temperature in the aquarium, and let it sit for a couple of weeks so the ich would run through the life cycle without hosts and die out.

After a couple of weeks, I lowered the temp, and hoped to reintroduce the fish to the aquarium. The problem is, the ammonia levels won't drop. The ammonia has been at a peak for over a month now, and there is no sign of the development of Nitrite/Nitrate, leading me to assume the tank is "stuck" in the ammonia spike.

Anyone have advice?

Answer 1

I would have to assume that there isn't enough ammonia in the tank to get a reasonable amount of nitrite build up. Also, obviously removing the fish for 2 weeks basically started the process over as any bacteria there would have starved. but....
From what you are describing it didn't even get to that stage. Adequate bacteria should have been introduced with the fish the first time to get the ball rolling, but I would have to assume you never got any decent level of nitrosomas or nitrobacters in your tank. I would suggest a "kick start" of cycle or a similar product or a bit of gravel or filter material from a known clean source.

BTW, Quick Cure should have no significant impact on the cylce bacteria when used at the rates suggested.

Also, stress didn't cause the ick, ick came in with the fish.

The pH of a tank can also significantly affect the time it takes to cycle, the higher, the longer basically. Warmer temperatures usually speed to process.

MM

Answer 2

The trick is to change a lot of water often, to keep the ammonia and nitrite levels down (50-75% every other day). Don't put any more meds in there. Don't use products that lower ammonia levels, like zeolite (white carbon), they lock it up, and water changes work better. Don't buy that stuff that "cycles" automatically, 90% of that stuff doesn't do a thing. All it is, is the gunk in someone else's filter that they refrigerate and sell for a whopping $25 a bottle! Don't clean your filter for the next 6 weeks, just replace carbon when needed. If you do it right you'll have it cycled in 3 weeks. If you do it wrong, it can take forever. Keep the cheap fish in there. I

Answer 3

When you said it is spiking and is staying spiked, what do you classify as spiked? What are the other readings in your tank? and what else do you have in your tank? How long from the time you set up the tank until now? Two days, two weeks two months?

Instead of a live fish, try tossing in a couple of pieces of raw fish or shrimp and let nature take over. The rotting fish should jump start your nitrates vs. waiting for fish waste to build up. Have you done water changes? 20-25% Did you add salt? DO not add salt during your next water change. Something else is causing your ammonia as you say to get stuck. However an ammonia reading on one test strip at a level 1 will show spiking where a 0 will show safe. Of course you don't want to keep it at 1 but this is not really high enough to kill your fish.

Also have you taken your water to get tested? What were the readings? Check the bottom of your test strip bottle, you could have a bad test kit, one that has gotten wet, a salt water test or simply one that has expired. Also does it say Ammonia or something else? Also, did you test your water source for the same? (Tap water bottled water etc)

Understand a fresh water tank can sometimes take up to 8 weeks to cycle totally.

Feel free to email or repost your answers.

Answer 4

you should likely 'watch' your 33 gallon aquarium very heavily for the subsequent month, a minimum of ... and attempt THE WATER at diverse circumstances of day so that you're going to understand if the Ph and ammonia levels are off only for a 'little at the same time as' ... yet i'd say that's a 'sturdy issue' that your aquarium is clean and the 'relatives' in it are all 'fit than ever.'

Answer 5

I would suggest to start your process all over again, keeping an eye out for the ammonia levels. Good luck.

Answer 6

Cycle or Stress Zyme will help. Some people swear by Bio-Spira (refrigerated product).