Hello Having trouble cycling my QT Tank.
Before you say it I know, you don't need to cycle QT tanks, Just monitor ammonia levels and keep up with frequent water changes.
Due to my work life schedule I fear that I wont be able to do that correctly.
Anyways I've read a lot of the forums, but I'm the type of person that kind of needs a step by step process because I feel like my situation can be different than all others (Probably Not LOL)
I've read from @brandon429 that any tank that is going through the fishless cycle cannot be stalled and that gives me hope because I'm utterly confused at where I am at in my cycle lol.
So let me break down everything that I have for my qt tank and the steps I took. (I will Include pictures)
Here is my Tank:
- 10 Gal
- Heater
- Seachem tidal 35 gal
- Small power Head
- Seachem Matrix inside of Hob
- Seachem Matrix as substrate
- Thermometer
- Ammonia Alert Badge
- 2 PVC pipes
-Salinity at 1.024
(dont mind the nano leaf light panels in the back it wont be turned on)
Steps That I took:
Using API Test kits ( I know these are extremely unreliable)
(Day 1): 04/08
Added Dr tims one and only & added drops of ammonia
(Day 2): 04/09
Tested my tank and Ammonia is at 0.50
(Day 3): 04/10
Add more drops of dr tims ammonia
(Day 4) 04/11
Tested my tank and Ammonia is at 0.75
(Day 5) 04/12
Tested my tank and ammonia is at 1.0
(Day 6) 04/13
Added more drops of ammonia
(Day 7) 04 /14
Tested my tank Ammonia is at 2.0
(Day 14) 04/21
- waited one week and ammonia is still at 2.0
(Day 15) 04/22
- got scared about the surface area I had and added seachem matrix as substrate
04/26 Ammonia still at 2.0 ppm
Stuck now asking for help from the experts please! LOL
Here are my parameters ( Stuck with the same parameters ever since I hit 2.0 ammonia
ph: 8.0
Nh3: 2.0
No2: 0.5
No3: 10ppm
here are some photos of my tank as of today 04/26
Also Note that tank water isn't crystal clear been cloudy almost the whole time
Please someone point me in the right direction I really need some help here
@brandon429 If you could help me out that would be awesome. I know you've stated multiple things over and over again but idk I just feel like my situation is a bit different idk ? LOL
thanks for anyone who took the time read this all.
Also if solution is found I will post progress photos and updates. I don't want anyone else to go through this.
Before you say it I know, you don't need to cycle QT tanks, Just monitor ammonia levels and keep up with frequent water changes.
Due to my work life schedule I fear that I wont be able to do that correctly.
Anyways I've read a lot of the forums, but I'm the type of person that kind of needs a step by step process because I feel like my situation can be different than all others (Probably Not LOL)
I've read from @brandon429 that any tank that is going through the fishless cycle cannot be stalled and that gives me hope because I'm utterly confused at where I am at in my cycle lol.
So let me break down everything that I have for my qt tank and the steps I took. (I will Include pictures)
Here is my Tank:
- 10 Gal
- Heater
- Seachem tidal 35 gal
- Small power Head
- Seachem Matrix inside of Hob
- Seachem Matrix as substrate
- Thermometer
- Ammonia Alert Badge
- 2 PVC pipes
-Salinity at 1.024
(dont mind the nano leaf light panels in the back it wont be turned on)
Steps That I took:
Using API Test kits ( I know these are extremely unreliable)
(Day 1): 04/08
Added Dr tims one and only & added drops of ammonia
(Day 2): 04/09
Tested my tank and Ammonia is at 0.50
(Day 3): 04/10
Add more drops of dr tims ammonia
(Day 4) 04/11
Tested my tank and Ammonia is at 0.75
(Day 5) 04/12
Tested my tank and ammonia is at 1.0
(Day 6) 04/13
Added more drops of ammonia
(Day 7) 04 /14
Tested my tank Ammonia is at 2.0
(Day 14) 04/21
- waited one week and ammonia is still at 2.0
(Day 15) 04/22
- got scared about the surface area I had and added seachem matrix as substrate
04/26 Ammonia still at 2.0 ppm
Stuck now asking for help from the experts please! LOL
Here are my parameters ( Stuck with the same parameters ever since I hit 2.0 ammonia
ph: 8.0
Nh3: 2.0
No2: 0.5
No3: 10ppm
here are some photos of my tank as of today 04/26
Also Note that tank water isn't crystal clear been cloudy almost the whole time
Please someone point me in the right direction I really need some help here
@brandon429 If you could help me out that would be awesome. I know you've stated multiple things over and over again but idk I just feel like my situation is a bit different idk ? LOL
thanks for anyone who took the time read this all.
Also if solution is found I will post progress photos and updates. I don't want anyone else to go through this.