Cycle Stuck after Ammonia returned to 0.

[Zbreefer]

I'm cycling my QT tank again to start adding more livestock. I started the cycle in the first week of October, and everything seemed to go as expected. Ammonia climbed, then Nitrite, and Nitrate. Ammonia slowly declined back to 0, but Nitrite and Nitrates are still very high. Ammonia has been testing 0 for almost 2 weeks. I tested my DT water with the same test kit, and everything returned 0, so I don't think I have bad test kits.

The QT is a 20g long, with AquaClear HOB filter which uses the sponge filter, carbon, and the bio filter "rocks". I did some research and saw a recommendation to do a 10% water change with DT water to try and get the cycle moving again, but that did not work.

Also, I had been cycling without the heater, so the tank was staying around 70 degrees. I plugged the heater in tonight to see if warmer water will make a difference.

Does anyone else have thoughts on how to get things moving again?

Thanks,
ZB

 

[Teenreefer15]

If you can get some media with some biological film on it and run that in your aqua clear that would definitely speed things up.

 

[Azedenkae]

Yep. Just seems like not enough bacteria breaking down nitrites.

 

[Zbreefer]

I put a new bag of bio filter "rocks" into my sump to try and seed them and replace the current ones in the HOB. I wish I had some rock rubble to put in QT to help, but I don't have that available.

Any other ideas other than patience?

 

[Azedenkae]

Why don't you actually add bacteria more directly? Adding more biological filter media is providing more space for colonization, but there won't be much on it.

Just get a shrimp or something, puree/mash it up and release into the aquarium.

 

[billnPS]

+1 on adding a raw shrimp to help get things kick-started.

 

[Sk8r]

Biology works faster at 80 degrees than at 60.

 

[Zbreefer]

Thanks everyone. Heater is plugged in. I'll continue adding food for the bacteria.

 

[Zbreefer]

UPDATE: Ammonia has been at 0 since 11/17, and nitrite & nitrate are still high. Been ghost feeding regularly. Any suggestions to get this thing moving again?

 

[Azedenkae]

Are you still running the carbon? Try removing it.

 

[Zbreefer]

I am running the carbon, I'll try taking it out. Keep the suggestions coming!

Thanks, ZB