Amonia 0, Nitrite 2.0

[Uhkordguy]

Im new to fish.. anyways.. i bought all the necessary equipment... and setup my new tank. Its 40 gallons. Fluval 404, and Pengin 400.

Anyways, i researched how to fishless cycle.. so i began the process about 4 weeks ago.. everything went as planned.. and 2 days ago, i did my usual Amonia and Nitrite test.. and to my suprise Amonia levels were 0 and Nitrite levels were 0. So i added more amonia, and wated till the next day.. to see if the amonia would dissapear overnight and the nitrite to zero.. so i tested it yesterday and once again.. both levels were 0. So i did a 90% water change, and refilled the tank, and added water conditioner(chlorine removal only).. and i let the tank heat up and run for about 5 hours. Retested the water.. and my amonia level was 0 BUT Nitrite was showing up again... at 2.0.

My question is.. why is Nitrite showing again after i did the water change? I didnt change any of the filter media etc.. and i didnt really disturb the gravel..

So last night i added a little amonia.. about 3ppm and tested the water this morning and the Amonia levels were back at 0.. but nitrite is still measurable. Also.. did the Nitrate test.. and they are about 10-20.

Can anyone help me? I'd like to add fish when i can..
thanks
sean

 

[njnauticalnut]

Not sure if or why the water change affected your nitrite levels.

I would keep adding amonia until both the amonia and nitrites are at back at 0 within 24 hours. Once they are add amonia for a couple more days to be sure. At that point, if your nitrates are not very high, under 20, do not do as large a water change, maybe 25-30% to get the nitrates as close to 0 as possible. Then you should be able to add your fish.

Good luck.

 

[Uhkordguy]

thanks.. anyone else?

 

[heresmike]

I agree with what njnauticalnut said!

 

[Helium_Junkie]

So i did a 90% water change, and refilled the tank, and added water conditioner(chlorine removal only)..

Water conditioner AFTER adding water?
So chlorines were running around your tank being filtered before the dechlorinator got in there?

Thought that would kill your bacteria?

 

[Uhkordguy]

we have a whole house water filtration system.. and the water doesnt test any chlorine etc..

anyways.. 3 days later.. i have not added any amonia. and nitrite tests 2.0, amonia tests 0, and Nitrate tests 10 ppm.

what to do? i just added a bit more amonia because i dont want the nitrates to die.

 

[canarsie11]

You maybe having a mini cycle, atleast that is what I would call it if you had fish in tank. So just be patient, dont do such big water change, 50 percent would be good enough for that last water change b4 the fish

 

[heresmike]

You maybe having a mini cycle, atleast that is what I would call it if you had fish in tank. So just be patient, dont do such big water change, 50 percent would be good enough for that last water change b4 the fish

The amount of water change depends on the nitrate level. You want to do a big enough change to get the nitrates down to a safe level. If the nitrates tested 10-20 after the water change, then I don't think 90% change was too much.

Don't know why your tank un-cycled, but if it were me I'd continue to add ammonia 'til the nitrites drop to zero.

 

[Uhkordguy]

jeez this sucks

 

[heresmike]

Yeah I know how you feel. 4 weeks is a long cycle, and a long time to wait to stock the tank. But once it's cycled, you'll feel much better knowing that the fish will not have to go through ammonia and/or nitrite poisoning.

How much ammonia were you adding daily? Or did you shoot for a certain ppm? I usually try to add enough ammonia daily to get the reading to 5ppm. How did you do it?

 

[Uhkordguy]

i was adding amonia to reach s certain ppm... and not adding any more unless it dropped...

 

[Uhkordguy]

UPDATE:

I did my 25% water change last night.. and amonia levels are 0 and Nitrite levels are about 0.25 -0.50 PPM.

Can i add fish?

Ammonia levels drop to 0 after about 12 hours...
Nitrates are about 10 PPM.

sean

 

[heresmike]

Ammonia and nitrate look good, but I would wait 'til the nitrites remain at zero also. Keep adding some ammonia daily... it really shouldn't be too much longer... a day or two maybe?