The Puffer Forum

These nitrites won't go down. Readings are Ammonia-0 PPM, Nitrite- 10 PPM, and Nitrates around 40- PPM. The nitrites have been at 10 PPM for around a week now, I thought I would've seen some progress by now. Is my cycle stalled? Right before they rose to 10 PPM, they were stuck at around 4 PPM so I did a 50% PWC to try and jump start it. Now it seems stuck at 10PPM. Any suggestions?

How much ammonia are you adding daily?

I'm using four very large shrimp. . .

Might be overkill.

I thought generally it was one per 10 gallons, so I put in 4 large ones for 55 gallons, they are about disintegrated, so when i take these out and put in new ones, should I only add 3 maybe?

IDK, never cycled in that way.

High ammonia levels depress to kill the nitrite oxidizers. That is one of the major issues major issues with unmeasured feeding - you are much more likely to have massive issues. 10 ppm ammonia (or nitrite either) is way off scale for control.

What is the tank KH and temperature?

I would suggest removing the majority of the rotting shrimp mass and doing a couple of back-to back 50% partials.

The ammonia never got that high, only the nitrites. I'm unsure of the KH right now, because I'm not home; I'll be home later to test it, but the temperature is 80F.

The whole point of me cycling this 55G is to transfer my three 1.5" GSP's from their current 10G tank. Do I have to cycle it? Could I just do a 100% Water Change, put the old filter on the 55 alongside it's current one and add the sand from the 10? The 10 obviously is colonized enough to support the 3 GSP's, so shouldn't it be ok?

I.Puff.Too wrote:The ammonia never got that high, only the nitrites. I'm unsure of the KH right now, because I'm not home; I'll be home later to test it, but the temperature is 80F.

The whole point of me cycling this 55G is to transfer my three 1.5" GSP's from their current 10G tank. Do I have to cycle it? Could I just do a 100% Water Change, put the old filter on the 55 alongside it's current one and add the sand from the 10? The 10 obviously is colonized enough to support the 3 GSP's, so shouldn't it be ok?

I.Puff.Too that's what we have been suggesting from the start. 10G is way to small even for a short period of time for your 3 GSP. Move everything over from the 10G, keep a close eye on the water parameters and be prepared to do water changes.

I think I'm going to do that when i get home..looks like i gotta pick up a bunch of salt on the way...

Make sure & thoroughly clean the pieces of shrimp from the tank.

Strong +1 to PP's comment.