Possible cycling problems

Hi all, I am new to the group and new to the hobby. This is a great forum and I have learned a lot here so far.

I have some questions and concerns regarding cycling my aquarium.

I have a juwel rio 180 and started cycling 3 weeks ago doing a fishless cycle.
Used Denerlle aqua soil. My water is extremely hard so reverted to using bottled RO water.

I started adding a log and plants and a few rocks and when I started I used seed from aquavitro for the first 7 days as on instructions.
The first 2 weeks my readings was constant reading:
2.0 ammonia
Ph ranges between 6-6.4
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 5.0

The last week or so ph is the same with ammonia still 2.0 and nitrites and nitrates both reading 0

Not sure why the nitrates is gone or if it should be gone?

Is it a case of just waiting longer or should I add more of the seed? I am not sure. Don't want too have to start over or wait any longer than needed for it to cycle.

Any advise or insight will be greatly appreciated.

Francois

 

Thanks for the reply, I thought that as well regarding the plants...should I just wait longer for the ammonia to go down?

 

Thank you, I will do that should I do another week of dosage like instructions on the bottle or just one big dose? Surely ot won't do anything harmful anyway bit adding more beneficial bacteria could only do good.

 

Thank you for the reply...I am looking to do a community tank maybe 2 different tetra schools and some cory have not decided on the exact one yet lol

I used only RO bottled water...maybe when i do top ups I should add some tap water then? The ph is low ranges 6-6.4

Just worried it will be hard down the line to keep up with the right amounts to keep the parameters consistent.

 

I've done a 20% tap water change and it took the ph to 7,4 would that be a better range for the cycle to function better?

So I guess in the future I have to do a 80-20% ratio to keep the ph stable.

 

Thanks for the reply I appreciate it.

I am a bit concerned to use straight tap water when I tested gh and kh both tests, i stopped counting at 30 drops and ph was off the charts.

As of the 20% water change my water parameters is,
1.0 Ammonia
0 Nitrite
5.0 Nitrate (tap water is reading 10-20ppm)
Ph stable at 7.4

This is 4 weeks today into the no fish cycle, do i just leave it and wait for the ammonia to 0 out? The ammonia was 2.0 before the water change and has not gone up again.

 

Yes, also borehole water here i actually live in a game reserve so the water is pushed through a 3 stage filter paper, carbon and sillivos and our geysers regularly pack up full of lime. Kettles showers etc always full of lime build up.

Just tested again sorry kh was 25 drops

 

I am in Madikwe Game Reserve, also love the Kruger.

Cool I will def have a look at that product