Brightwell MicroBacter Quick Cycle

[Richards Aquarium]

I started the cycle with the microbacter quick start iam on day 9. My Ammonia still reads 2ppm, 2 days ago my nitrites where at 2 ppm maybe a little more than that, and today day 9 the nitrite is at 0 And my nitrate is between 5.0 and 1.0. The directions say at day 5 if Ammonia and nitrite are at o and nitrates read 25 ppm cycle is complete. My Ammonia is definitely not coming down. I did not use the xlm because I did not know. So 2 days ago on day 7 I threw in some reef frenzy nano frozen food to help feed the quick cycle. Keep in mind this is for a qt. Nothing but water and two plastic rocks for hiding.
I did not do any water changes because I was waiting for the nitrates to hit 25 ppm and for the Ammonia to come down
Can someone please advise what I should do. And this is only a 6 gallon tank it is all I have for the moment.
Thank you for your help

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Just keep waiting, sounds like the cycle is in mid-process or almost complete, it shouldn't be much longer

 

[Richards Aquarium]

Do you think I should leave the frozen food in there or take it out ?

 

[0MNSH1ZLLC]

I’ve done 2 quick cycles with microbacter and prime on fish only systems losing no fish but I used established live rock, water and media.

I think the established bacteria from the water LR and media is much more important than the microbacter but you should probably just get yourself some prime too.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Just making sure, but you have some bioballs or similar media in an HOB on your QT, correct?

 

[Richards Aquarium]

No, I'm using 2 sponge filters. This is a qt tank. I think I just have to wait a little longer the nitrates are stating to come up. If I see the Ammonia go down I will then do a water change an go from there

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As I mentioned in the other thread, you might add a different brand of bacteria such as Fritz Turbo Start.