Cycling my nano

[vinniemabuna]

Hi, my 20 gallon tank is cycling 1 week plus, I used live sand and dead rock marcos , powerhead no light no heater. At 1 week the ammonia was 2PPm , nitrite high , nitrate high , I used a raw shrimp for a week I took it out the smell was horrible I used little carbon to help with the smell. I'm using seachem stability for bacteria help on the bottle it says to sto at 8 days but I'm still going is that Ok thanks..

 

[Mad_Reefer]

I suggest stop adding anything. Clean any obvious rotting stuff. Wait 3-4 weeks or more if you can. Then ghost feed a couple weeks and test.

 

[clowncaldy27]

I'd stop using the Seachem and carbon ... if the bottle said to stop , it said it for a reason (not being an a**hole) it most likely just says it because it is not going to have any positive results after the 8 days. Just clean off the rock and wait it out for another 2-3 weeks ...

 

[scooter31707]

Once your ammonia got up to 2-3ppm, then you are on your way. Now the only thing to do is to wait it out and get a quarantine tank going. IMO, I think you may need to go ahead and get a heater going in there.

 

[AlSimmons]

I wouldn't even sweat it... Just give that piece of shrimp some time to rot for a month or so and then start adding livestock slowly... It' doesn't have to be so complicated sometimes... If a .99 cent snail dies right quick so be it. A simple test. (for the greater good) Nature will take it's course one way or the other.

 

[Mad_Reefer]

Yes, add heat. Higher temps = more activity = fast cycle. I always use a heater.