Not seeing Nitrites isn't an issue. Both Biospira and Dr Tims contain Nitrospira bacteria which convert ammonia to nitrate without releasing the nitrite into the water.
I'm really sorry you are going through this. I really think you have identified the cause of your cycling problems. Personally, I would continue to use Prime in any water you make until you replace the DI filter, also. Best to be on the safe side.
I have done a ton of studying on nitrifying bacteria and cycling. What I don't know is if the chloramine would have wiped out the bacteria in the first bottle of Biospira in the short time between adding it and putting in the Prime. My thoughts are if you don't mind the time, effort, and cost of another bottle, it won't do any harm and may really jump start things. At this point I just don't have the confidence to make a recommendation toward adding it. Your situation is unlike anything I have read about.
I would add another dose of Prime just to be on the safe side today and maybe make it twice the recommended dose if you do decide to add more Biospira.
So far the ammI have done a ton of studying on nitrifying bacteria and cycling. What I don't know is if the chloramine would have wiped out the bacteria in the first bottle of Biospira in the short time between adding it and putting in the Prime. My thoughts are if you don't mind the time, effort, and cost of another bottle, it won't do any harm and may really jump start things. At this point I just don't have the confidence to make a recommendation toward adding it. Your situation is unlike anything I have read about.
Prime only neutralizes ammonia for 2 or 3 days. Bacteria can process it while it is neutralized which is a good thing. Unless your ammonia gets above 5ppm it won't do any harm to your cycle. Between 5ppm and 10ppm it can slow nitrifying bacteria growth. Above 10ppm can potentially start killing the bacteria.
So far the ammonia hasn't gotten above 4. Since ammonia was being added with Prime-treated topoff water, I tend to think the cycle is working because the nitrates are rising but the ammonia is basically staying the same. If the cycle had totally stalled, I don't think I'd be seeing those numbers. I'll test shortly and report back!!!I have done a ton of studying on nitrifying bacteria and cycling. What I don't know is if the chloramine would have wiped out the bacteria in the first bottle of Biospira in the short time between adding it and putting in the Prime. My thoughts are if you don't mind the time, effort, and cost of another bottle, it won't do any harm and may really jump start things. At this point I just don't have the confidence to make a recommendation toward adding it. Your situation is unlike anything I have read about.
Prime only neutralizes ammonia for 2 or 3 days. Bacteria can process it while it is neutralized which is a good thing. Unless your ammonia gets above 5ppm it won't do any harm to your cycle. Between 5ppm and 10ppm it can slow nitrifying bacteria growth. Above 10ppm can potentially start killing the bacteria.
No. Lol. I totally overslept and the kids barely got to school on time!I sure hope so! No test results this morning? You didn't run out of testing fluid, did you?
Looks like progress! Slow, but at least it is something!
