Cycling a 5.5 gallon

[Danny LeVeck]

I have a 5.5 gallon that I’ve had about a month. It has a dwarf frog that I had to move into a new clean tank due to the chytrid virus. It’s been in the new tank with prime and seed every day. The ammonia won’t go down and there’s almost no nitrates. I also ended up with an algae bloom. Should I do water changes, wait and hope it cycles, or something else?

[Squeegee79]

What kind of filter do you have on it?

[Danny LeVeck]

2 minutes ago, Squeegee79 said:

What kind of filter do you have on it?

A sponge filter

[Squeegee79]

Probably just need to give it some time then. Maybe cut back on food a little.

 

[Danny LeVeck]

10 minutes ago, Squeegee79 said:

Probably just need to give it some time then. Maybe cut back on food a little.

 

I should see nitrites go up then down and then nitrates go up at some point, right?

[Squeegee79]

Yes, you should, although with only one frog in there it could take a while. (not suggesting you add more bio load) 

Also, are you medicating it at all? Some meds will mess with cycling.

[Danny LeVeck]

3 minutes ago, Squeegee79 said:

Yes, you should, although with only one frog in there it could take a while. (not suggesting you add more bio load) 

Also, are you medicating it at all? Some meds will mess with cycling.

It was medicated in a medical container, so no not in this tank.