Stuck in Cycle?

[Jalgar]

I have an odd problem.

My Quarantine tank seems to be stuck in the middle of a cycle for over a month.

All parameters are good. Amonnia is just a trace, but Nitate is around 60 ppm and Nitrites are over 2 ppm. I have not had any fish in the tank for like 2 months now and I am afraid to put fish in the tank now.

Any ideas on what is going on and how I can get this tank back to normal?

It is a 20 gal with just a heater and 2 small HOB filters.

Thanks,

 

[serum153]

A water change will help lower it and just be sure to have the sponges in your dt to get the beneficial bacteria. Also be sure to rinse the sponges weekly (I do mine bi-weekly) or else those become a nitrate factory.

 

[Reeses]

It is good practice to break down and disinfect your QT tank between each fish, even if they made it through QT without disease. A better method is to keep a sponge filter in your sump or filter to pull out and use when the time comes. Then, when you need to QT, fill your tank with display water and insert the seeded sponge filter into your HOB for the QT tank.

 

[returnofsid]

Have you done water changes? Nitrates won't reduce like Ammonia and Nitrites will. Nitrates actually have to be removed through water changes or other means.

 

[serum153]

Beautiful Coral Beauty in your avatar. That is currently one of my favorite fish to watch lately

 

[Reeses]

Thanks, she was a beauty. She was actually my very first saltwater fish. About a year after getting her, she became sick and despite my repeated attempts to nurse her back to health, she didn't make it. I think she developed a resistance to the antibiotics, and then, of course, she didn't stand a chance. It was a shame, but it gave me my first real dose of dealing with saltwater disease. It's amazing to me how quicky saltwater fish heal compared to freshwater fish, and more shockingly, how much more sensitive they are and how quickly they can die.

Besides being stunningly beautiful (like they are) she had a good personality, and wasn't too flighty. She'd watch me as much as I watched her.