So I am about 12 days into a fishless cycle. I'm dosing pure ammonia to 4ppm a day. My nitrates stared showing up around day 5. Nitrites started showing around day 7-8. My ammonia is going to zero daily. However, my nitrates and nitrites are staying off the charts. I did a 40-50% water change 2 days ago. Nitrites went down a little, but nitrates didn't drop at all.
I've not fishless cycled before and my last tank was over 20 years ago. I'm running a marineland 360 canister filter and marineland maxi jet on a 60 gallon tank. Heater is set at 87. I've read that nitrifying bacteria takes longer to establish. Just wasnt sure exactly how much longer. To be honest, I was suprised to see nitrates/nitrites as soon as I did. I also used a product called activate during the first few days, and I have caribe live fiji pink sand. I've attached a picture of the water tests about 12 hours after dosing ammonia.
Just not sure if I should keep dosing ammonia, or if its being overloaded? Obviously want to add some fish soon, but know I have to be patient. Just don't want to be sitting there while cycle stalls if there is something I can do. Thanks for any help. ( and if anyone has better Idea for rock layout, let me know. )
I've not fishless cycled before and my last tank was over 20 years ago. I'm running a marineland 360 canister filter and marineland maxi jet on a 60 gallon tank. Heater is set at 87. I've read that nitrifying bacteria takes longer to establish. Just wasnt sure exactly how much longer. To be honest, I was suprised to see nitrates/nitrites as soon as I did. I also used a product called activate during the first few days, and I have caribe live fiji pink sand. I've attached a picture of the water tests about 12 hours after dosing ammonia.
Just not sure if I should keep dosing ammonia, or if its being overloaded? Obviously want to add some fish soon, but know I have to be patient. Just don't want to be sitting there while cycle stalls if there is something I can do. Thanks for any help. ( and if anyone has better Idea for rock layout, let me know. )