Fishless cycle . .am i stuck in nitirite phase?

[Bderick67]

I am against using chemicals like ammonia and nitrite in my tanks...

There is an upper limit to the nitrite and ammonia concentrations that can be tolerated even by the bacteria you're trying to culture. The upper limit of 8 ppm ammonia seems to be based on solid research, but I haven't been able to find more than anecdotes regarding the upper limit for nitrite. Based on a few individuals' recommendations on other forums I'd say change water to keep it below 10 ppm, but again that number doesn't come from any solid research.

You can evaluate concentrations beyond the capacity of your kit by serial dilution, ie dilute 1 cup of tank water with 3 cups tap water, test and multiply result by 4. If it still reads at the top of the chart, dilute again until you get something you can read.

I've never heard of anyone recommending sugar, but that doesn't seem like bad advice to me as long as you change enough water to remove it before adding fish.

You say your nitrate fluctuates... does it drop when you're not changing water?

She is adding the ammonia, so why would WCs be needed to regulate the ammonia level?

How would her nitrates drop, without WCs?

 

[dianas]

Hey all. . . . My nitrates have been consistent at 10ppm for the past 3 days, after doing the wc's. Before that they were at 40ppm, then dropped to 20ppm. Also, for the past 3 days, ammonia drops to 0ppm 24 hours after adding it. The only thing I'm having a problem with is the nitrites. Just did another wc and checked nitrites, it was the darkest purple color (5ppm) Then I did the dilution method suggested and got 4ppm. So,. . .should I do another wc today or tomorrow to get the nitrites a little lower, so they can eventually be converted over to nitrates? Also, should I add a small amount of ammonia (haven't added any today yet) or just add some tomorrow? Thanks again.

 

[markx2005]

I set 125g tank up. Yeah used cycled media but had my fish in with in 24 hours i never had problem. I never tested water too. Only tested it once since been running. I just keep eye on my fish do regular wc.

 

[velanarris]

Hey all. . . . My nitrates have been consistent at 10ppm for the past 3 days, after doing the wc's. Before that they were at 40ppm, then dropped to 20ppm. Also, for the past 3 days, ammonia drops to 0ppm 24 hours after adding it. The only thing I'm having a problem with is the nitrites. Just did another wc and checked nitrites, it was the darkest purple color (5ppm) Then I did the dilution method suggested and got 4ppm. So,. . .should I do another wc today or tomorrow to get the nitrites a little lower, so they can eventually be converted over to nitrates? Also, should I add a small amount of ammonia (haven't added any today yet) or just add some tomorrow? Thanks again.

I'm confused here, is this a planted tank? Otherwise how are you losing Nitrates by any method other than water changes?

As for Nitrite, the responsible bacteria, nitrobacter, can take a little while to get established. Water temp and aeration are big with this particular bacteria. Since we're talking an aquarium and not an outdoor pond your temp should be spot on regardless of whether you're doing tropical, marine, or goldfish/cool water. If you don't have much aeration the bacteria could take a little while to get established. Basically, jsut make sure you're breaking the surface tension of the water and that the level allows for some space between the canopy and the water surface.