Fishless cycling taking longer then I thought??

[Waterboy]

Still waiting for my Nitrates to show up. It’s been 6 days since I started with little results. I used powered NH3, and added the liquid nitrifying bacteria myself. NH3 is dropping and Nitrites are rising slowly, just wondering if anyone else’s took this long. The cycling packing I bought said just a few days, just wondering if this is normal. The ambient temp is around 90 and I am running two aerators 24/7 in my 350 gallon tk, thought it would be a breeze? I guess all great things take time!!!

[keith_r]

cycling will take about 6 weeks..
the liquid nitrifying bacteria you bought is bunk.... the bacteria wouldn't survive on the shelf..
for your system to be cycled, you should be able to dose it to 1-2ppm of ammonia, and by the next day, ammonia and nitrites will be 0

[Aloha Don]

patience and hands off are my two weaknesses....
I like to tinker too much
:-)

[Roger L.]

Gosh Don. I thought I was the only one like that! Maybe we should start a support group. :o

[JCO]

Keith_r doesn't post on here just for his good looks...read and heed


cycling will take about 6 weeks..
the liquid nitrifying bacteria you bought is bunk.... the bacteria wouldn't survive on the shelf..
for your system to be cycled, you should be able to dose it to 1-2ppm of ammonia, and by the next day, ammonia and nitrites will be 0 :mrgreen:

[Waterboy]

I am finally getting to where I need to be. But still not much Nitrates showing up. I did plant a few plants, I figure thats where its going now. The Nitrites are dropping and going somewhere!!