Fishless Cycling Problems Continue

[Bronx19]

Hey guys, I have had more problems cycling a tank.

Once Nitrite peeks, the Ammonia consuming bacteria die and Ammonia levels rise. I am assuming the Nitrite levels are so high they have become toxic to the other.

The tank is 300L, and I initially dosed approx. 40mL of Ammonia to reach less than 5ppm. Once Ammonia was being consumed I added 10mL daily, in two 5mL doses. The Nitrite doesnt appear to be much over 5ppm.

I have searched the web for anyone with the same result, and there are none.

This is extremely frustrating.

[Merrilyn]

Bronx, are you getting any nitrate reading at all.

I'd only be adding ammonia once a day, in the morning, by the next morning, there should be very little ammonia left in the tank, but you should be getting a reading of nitrite and hopefully nitrate.

Just be patient. It does work, I promise :P

[Bronx19]

I havent actually tested for Nitrate, I was going to wait for Nitrite to drop to 0.

I have tried adding the 10mL of Ammonia in one go previously, and I had the very same result.

Why would Ammonia begin to rise like it has?

[chrissyoscar]

Have you been testing your PH as well.
I'm not 100% sure but I have heard that ph should also be checked as when cycling a tank you can get a large PH drop that will kill the ammonia eating bacteria.

Oscar

[duck]

I have read that if you add to much ammonia you can kill the ammonia eating bacteria.
You should also add something from an established tank to help it along.

[Bronx19]

Chrissy: I have tested PH and it has only altered marginally.

Duck: I too have read this and was careful to not over do it.

I waited for the Ammonia to begin being consumed and only added 10mL a day.

In a 300L tank thats not even 1ppm.