Cycle Stall???

[xxsobesxx]

Hey!

I am in my 4th week of cycle. Last weekend, 3rd week, these were my test outcomes.

Then I went on a vacation and just got back today,4th week. Was hoping to test for 0 ammonia and some nitrates. However that’s not the case. It looks like nitrites fell back to 0 and also ammonia is falling as well. But I am getting no rise at all in nitrate.

Am I at a stall and need to add some ammonia and then some bacteria? I am not sure what to do at this point. Also both nitrates look darker but are definitely at 0.
Send help!!

 

[Spare time]

I think you are fine. If you want to be cautious, go ahead and add a little bacteria with your first fish or some prime (prime makes ammonia not toxic for 48 hours.

 

[Reefing Madness]

What are you using as an ammonia source?

 

[xxsobesxx]

What are you using as an ammonia source?

I had live sand and also dosed flake food in week 2 for about 4-5 days.

 

[Spare time]

If you had a stall in the cycle you would probably see a decent amount of nitrite since the nitrite to nitrate bacteria are the slower growing of the two bacteria types and more sensitive.


Are you running lights by any chance?

 

[Reefing Madness]

I dont think you've dosed enough ammonia. Flake compared to using a jumbo shrimp, I think there is a huge difference in the amount given off.

 

[Spare time]

I had live sand and also dosed flake food in week 2 for about 4-5 days.

Maybe try some ammonium chloride for tanks and another bottle of bacteria if you want to double check your progress

 

[xxsobesxx]

If you had a stall in the cycle you would probably see a decent amount of nitrite since the nitrite to nitrate bacteria are the slower growing of the two bacteria types and more sensitive.


Are you running lights by any chance?

I am running lights. It’s on a timer for about 12 hours on and 12 hours off with sun rise and sun set modes.

 

[Spare time]

I am running lights. It’s on a timer for about 12 hours on and 12 hours off with sun rise and sun set modes.

If you have algae growing that could explain where some nitrate went but again like @Reefing Madness said you may have not added enough flakes to make a dent (I have no clue how much ammonia is per a flake so I can't say).

 

[xxsobesxx]

Would be in my interest to try this XLM start? It says don’t use with live sand. But I’m getting itchy feet now.

 

[Spare time]

Would be in my interest to try this XLM start? It says don’t use with live sand. But I’m getting itchy feet now.

It wouldn't hurt. You can add a fish when you add that if you want since it is so concentrated.


The reason they say don't use live sand with it is that live sand will contain heterotrophs that compete with the xlm for phosphate and can slow down the cycle (at least that is what I understand they say this for).

 

[xxsobesxx]

Alrighty. I guess I’ll give it a go. Already waited a month lol. What’s an extra couple days or a week