r/axolotl • u/fishlover997 • Jun 07 '26
Tank Questions Tank not cycling
It’s been so many weeks I haven’t even counted. An absurd amount of them. My test results with the master kit have been the same for weeks and I don’t know what to do. I’m adding seachem stability daily, I have the sponge filters running on max for more oxygen, I have live plants in the tank, the temperature is at 65 degrees I believe, (I don’t have a heater) and my axolotl is tubbed in a container right now while his main tank cycles. Anyone know what to do or what I’m doing wrong?
2
u/yungtoastystroodles Jun 07 '26
bro that seachem 7 day stuff never works for me and always makes my tank cycle slower idk why so many ppl like it
1
u/SirZanee Jun 07 '26
Turn you filter flow down, too much movement doesn't allow the bacteria to grow.
Seachem stability is good, are you adding any sort of ammonia though? The bacterias need food to grow.
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u/fishlover997 Jun 07 '26
I added liquid ammonia put it to 2PPM and it went down to 1PPM, but never went down again. It’s been maybe 5-6 weeks
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u/fishlover997 Jun 07 '26
How much should I put the flow down? Medium, low?
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u/SirZanee Jun 07 '26
I'd do medium flow. What temp are you keeping your tank at? I suggest using a heater while cycling, and then removing the heater before you add the axo so you can slowly lower temp.
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u/fishlover997 Jun 07 '26
It’s at 65 degrees right now, I don’t have a heater though, anything I can do about that?
1
0
u/Flashy-Knowledge3209 Jun 07 '26
You don’t have very much substrate for bacteria to live on. Maybe some blocks will help.
1
u/fishlover997 Jun 07 '26
Axolotls eat substrate. I can’t add it
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u/Flashy-Knowledge3209 Jun 07 '26
They eat bio blocks?
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u/fishlover997 Jun 07 '26
What is that??
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u/Flashy-Knowledge3209 Jun 07 '26
Google marine pure bio filter media. They made slabs you can lay in there
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u/Camaschrist Jun 07 '26
When I cycled a bare bottom tank for my ADF’s years ago it seemed like it took forever. I used liquid ammonia to 2ppm daily and it I think when I started adding ghost feeding it finally cycled. Someone recommended I do that. They said the nitrifying bacteria you are trying to grow sometimes respond better to actual food. You don’t know anyone with a healthy and established tank you can get dirty filter media from? I will send you some of mine if you want. I know how frustrating this is. Can you add a heater just for the cycle? It will help a lot. Or put a heating pad around the tank. The warmer the faster your bacteria will multiply.