Efficient Fishless Cycling

[The Taffy Apple]

sorry I was unclear - I meant to the cycling process - I will for sure do a water change and get the nitrates way down before adding fish, but I was wondering if high nitrAtes impact the cycle at all - I've not seen anyone saying this.
 
I never dosed 8ppm at one time but it got up to 8ppm. I'm now dosing a capful which takes it 3-4ppm. I just got home and tested, its been about 10 hours, the ammonia is pretty much gone, maybe 0.25ppm left, the nitrates are a deep pinky blue which I reckon is about 1ppm and the nitrates are still red at 40ppm or more. so I think I just need to wait for the NOBs to catch up with the AOBs and they don't seem too far behind anyway.
 
My plan is to add substrate, plants and decor this weekend to start using the nitrates for something and basically make sure that provided the cycle is done by the following weekend, I can add fish, but I'm fine to wait another week or so on that as I originally planned, as I'm off work the week after easter so can dedicate more time to sourcing the fish and also keep a better eye on them in their first few days in the tank

I have read of high NitrAtes possibly affecting the PH of your tank water, which in turn may affect the bacteria in your filter.
keep up with what you're doing..it will be complete in no time.
 
Terry.

 

[snazy]

but I was wondering if high nitrAtes impact the cycle at all - I've not seen anyone saying this.

 
Hi nitrate less likely although there's data it can chemically combine with other substances to produce nitric acid which can alter the Ph.
However, the ammonia to nitrite process is a highly acidifying process, which means that if your water has low buffering capacity, it can crash the Ph, which in turn inhibits the nitrifying bacteria. Nitrification ceases at Ph of 6 and below. I have never experienced it myself during a fishless cycle, but many with soft water have. However, if that's the case, you should be careful even when you have fish in the tank, as similar thing can happen.

 

[DaveP1991]

I seem to be getting little to no movement or nitrites. The tank seems to be processing Ammonia fairly well and rapidly but my nitrites are still astronomically high, only the tiniest of drops in the intensity of the purple. Do I just stick with it? 

 

[DaveP1991]

Yay! Got a 0 and 0. I've not seen a measurable amount ammonia for a while, this is despite adding food and having a ballooning pest snail population, which I assume is also helping cycle by adding to the bioload and of course they will also make a lovely feast for my assassin snail! 

 
I think a water change, check of nitrates and stocking is near....