Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've been cycling my 20-gallon tank for two weeks now, and the ammonia is still at 2 ppm. Nitrites are at 0.5 ppm, and nitrates are barely detectable. I'm using Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride and a sponge filter. Is this normal, or should I be worried?

Yo, sounds like your cycle's just chillin'. Mine took like 4 weeks to fully kick in. You got any plants in there? They can help speed things up, but honestly, just let it ride for now.

It's normal for the cycle to take longer, especially without seeded media. Have you tested your pH? If it's below 7, the bacteria might be slower to establish. Also, what's your temperature at? Around 80°F is ideal for bacterial growth.

Dude, same thing happened to me. I freaked out and added more ammonia, and it just messed everything up. Just wait it out, trust.

I'd recommend checking your water source too. Sometimes tap water has chloramines that can throw off the cycle. Are you using a dechlorinator? Seachem Prime is my go-to.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll test my pH and temp tonight. I'm using Prime, so hopefully that's not the issue. Just anxious to get my tank ready for fish.

Patience is key. My 30-gallon took almost 6 weeks to cycle fully. Keep testing daily and avoid adding more ammonia until nitrites drop.

belleora wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:28 am Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll test my pH and temp tonight. I'm using Prime, so hopefully that's not the issue. Just anxious to get my tank ready for fish.

Yeah, you're good then. Just gotta let the bacteria do their thing. No rush, man.

If you're really impatient, you could try adding some bottled bacteria like Tetra SafeStart. It's not a guarantee, but it might help speed things up a bit.

I used Stability when my cycle stalled, and it worked within a week. Might be worth a shot if you're stuck.