Help reading test result.

[Jadzir]

In the process of doing my fishless cycle.
Just want peoples opinion on what number my nitrite reading is at.
Thanks

 

[itiwhetu]

At least 2ppm

 

[Jadzir]

At least 2ppm

That’s what I thought too.
Was clearly closer to 5 on the last test.
Just waiting for them to drop to 1 or less for the next dose of ammonia.
Looks like it’s moving in the right direction.
Thanks

 

[Sunnyspots]

What was your ammonia? Mine was 2.5 today but nitrites still too high for the next dose, just like you.
First I mistakenly sampled for ammonia with the syringe I use to add ammonia to the tank. I clearly hadn't washed it out well enough as the ammonia level came back as 8+ ! I thought Jadzir will be cycled well before me!

 

[Jadzir]

What was your ammonia? Mine was 2.5 today but nitrites still too high for the next dose, just like you.
First I mistakenly sampled for ammonia with the syringe I use to add ammonia to the tank. I clearly hadn't washed it out well enough as the ammonia level came back as 8+ ! I thought Jadzir will be cycled well before me!

My ammonia is at 0.
The nitrites are dropping but very slowly.
Have been at 0 ammonia for two tests now following snack dose.
Can't wait to be finished with cycling to move onto the next phase.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I find that the color-chart cards that come with the kits can be hard to read sometimes, and they even vary a small bit from one kit to another...I use this instead, and hold the test tube up to my computer monitor to compare colors: https://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/downloads.html

 

[Avel1896]

Hi, bad result. Nitrites must be undetectable, being <0.01 mg/l. Time to do huge waterchange(s). Keep in mind new water must at the same temp. as water tank.

 

[Sunnyspots]

Hi, bad result. Nitrites must be undetectable, being <0.01 mg/l. Time to do huge waterchange(s). Keep in mind new water must at the same temp. as water tank.

I thought when doing a fishless cycle you followed the instructions: add test dose of ammonia when results get sufficiently low, otherwise you are depriving the nitrifying bacteria of the 'food' they need to multiply.

 

[Avel1896]

I thought when doing a fishless cycle you followed the instructions: add test dose of ammonia when results get sufficiently low, otherwise you are depriving the nitrifying bacteria of the 'food' they need to multiply.

? ? ? ?
You really should let Mother Nature make the job !

 

[Jadzir]

I find that the color-chart cards that come with the kits can be hard to read sometimes, and they even vary a small bit from one kit to another...I use this instead, and hold the test tube up to my computer monitor to compare colors: https://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/downloads.html

Thanks. Will have a look.

 

[Jadzir]

I thought when doing a fishless cycle you followed the instructions: add test dose of ammonia when results get sufficiently low, otherwise you are depriving the nitrifying bacteria of the 'food' they need to multiply.

I am following the guide on the forum.

 

[Sunnyspots]

I am following the guide on the forum.

Same here. I'm not sure why Avel1896 was advocating a water change

 

[Essjay]

If this was a fish-in cycle, a water change would be very important. But as there are no fish in the tank, a water change does not need to be done until the cycle has finished. The only time a water change is needed during fishless cycling is if the pH crashes, or it gets stuck for a long time - in the last case, for some reason a water change often gets it going again.

 

[Jadzir]

Same here. I'm not sure why Avel1896 was advocating a water change

Me either.

 

[Jadzir]

Same here. I'm not sure why Avel1896 was advocating a water change

Decided to do a test today. Very glad I did.
Ammonia is 0 and nitrites have dropped to 0.
Didn’t believe the nitrite one so did a second test and 0 again.
No water changes involved.
Added snack dose on day 19.
So has taken seven days for nitrites to drop.
Full dose of ammonia added so time for daily testing.