A never ended cycling

[Jorsan]

Hi,
I've been cycling my new 30 gallon setup for about 2 1/2 months now using Dr Jim's method. Process was going ok but in the past 3 weeks I'm stocked in 0.4 Nitrites and around 100 nitrates (no ammonia). Always this numbers, no ups or downs. I have lights on for about 4 hours per day but rocks are totally white, no algae of any type. A week ago I added a fish trying to speed the process but died yesterday, don't know why because 0.4 nitrites are not high enough to kill a fish but happened. Some days before I added the fish, had a bacteria bloom (cloudy water) that remains until today.
I know that using artificial rock and no sand (my actual system) makes the process way much slower, but I think something is not going ok. To compensate the lack of areas where bacteria can proliferate, I added to the sump 2 types of ceramic media.
your help will be appreciated. Thanks
My test kits are ok, I have tried them with reverse osmosis water and all values are correct.

 

[djryan2000]

Hi,
I've been cycling my new 30 gallon setup for about 2 1/2 months now using Dr Jim's method. Process was going ok but in the past 3 weeks I'm stocked in 0.4 Nitrites and around 100 nitrates (no ammonia). Always this numbers, no ups or downs. I have lights on for about 4 hours per day but rocks are totally white, no algae of any type. A week ago I added a fish trying to speed the process but died yesterday, don't know why because 0.4 nitrites are not high enough to kill a fish but happened. Some days before I added the fish, had a bacteria bloom (cloudy water) that remains until today.
I know that using artificial rock and no sand (my actual system) makes the process way much slower, but I think something is not going ok. To compensate the lack of areas where bacteria can proliferate, I added to the sump 2 types of ceramic media.
your help will be appreciated. Thanks

My first thought was you may have chlorine/chloramines. They would certainly kill any beneficial bacteria growing. Maybe try using Prime, and check your source water.


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[Jorsan]

Hi, thanks for your reply . Im using reverse osmosis water so should be no chlorine

 

[djryan2000]

Hi, thanks for your reply . Im using reverse osmosis water so should be no chlorine

Darn.


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[Sk8r]

something is massively wrong. I once acquired a live rock that turned out to be a petroleum tar ball, but it did not kill the tank. Look for any copper or brass in any way associated with the tank. Next time you try to introduce life, use snails or micro-hermits, and feed them.

 

[Jorsan]

I used no live rock so don't think my problem is the same as you described. Dry rock comes from marco rock. Will test for cooper for sure to be sure. Thanks for your input

 

[RioReefr]

You should watch this video, it is very informative:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDI7sxqC-ss&t=1562s&ab_channel=BulkReefSupply

Personally, I think 0.4 Nitrites and 100 Nitrates are high and probably do to the bare-bottom.

I am guessing your fish died because of lack of oxygen. Maybe add an air-stone and get rid of any other removal products like GFO, Purigen, etc.

That 30-minute video will probably solve your problem.

 

[Jorsan]

thanks RioReefr for the link but I already saw it in the past and yes, is very informative. I follow all the recommendations of the method and that's why I'm worry about the result in my system.
The level of 02 in my tank is 8.1 as per my seneye, so looks ok for a fish to live in.
All this must have a reason but I can't find it.

 

[Jorsan]

Sk8r, cooper is cero as per my test so that's no the issue. Thanks

 

[ckaz]

Are you doing water changes? That should help if you have any odd off gassing from the rocks or anything. And did you ever see a spike in ammonia?

 

[Jorsan]

no, I don't because is not recommended in the cycling process. About ammonia no spikes, always cero.

 

[ckaz]

Have you done any water changes since setting up?

 

[Jorsan]

Just one time 2 weeks ago about 15%, thats all