I think I am at that point, but because of the NO2 I can't accurately test for the NO3. Maybe I am flowing TOO slow and it is causing some sort of other reaction where the NO3 isn't being consumed completely??I would increase the flow a little then wait few days increase more. Continue to increase little by little every week till you start to register no3 then cut back little to last days flow where you didnt have any no3.
I have had it up and running for about 3 months now. I have had physical media problems. My reactor doesn't have a top diffuser plate as it was designed to use bio-balls. Just as it seems like it is about to "kick", the media starts getting pushed up. This causes the media to get sucked into the suction side clogging up the recirc pump, this happened 3 times. Two other times the media started churning and really clouded up the tank. All 5 times resulted in dissembling (never removing the media or drying out completely) and trying to redesign. I think I finally solved it this weekend.
Is this why I am having issues? Is it not completely cycled because of the disassembly?