Nitrite > Nitrate.. How Much Longer?

[plectastic]

Kept the faith. First time in over a week.. Nitrite 0

Praying it keeps that way!

Presumably I'll be just testing the water every day as usual now rather than doing the big WC's?

 

[the_lock_man]

Yep, that's right. Test the water each day - if you see any nitrite, change water - if you don't, don't When you go a complete week without seeing ammo or nitrite - you're cycled!

 

[plectastic]

Nice one. Hoping very much this is it now.

 

[plectastic]

So I got a brand new Api Master Test Kit through today to replace my old Api kit which was about a year or so old...

After thinking I'd cracked it I've just tested today a tiny bit of Ammonia (0-0.25), Nitrite (0.25) and Nitrates (40-80)

Fed up. Phoning LFS tomorrow to scrounge some mature media.

 

[#1 Fish Fan]

Yeah, you go phone them! I phone them all the time, I think they get fed up with me sometimes!

 

[Jam Jam]

Keep on the water changes mate,hang in there. It took ages to do mine and I almost gave up at one point.then out the blue zero nitrite and stable after a week.

 

[#1 Fish Fan]

My cycle took AGES! Nearly gave up until the test gave me a surprise and a HUGE difference!

 

[plectastic]

So, Saturday I read 0 nitrite and ammonia finally so was very hopeful once again. Today I read Nitrites to be the highest they have ever been at between 0.50-1.0ppm!

One of my 2 Zebra Loach has never acted healthy really and I lost him this morning. I did yet another 90% water change. Changing as much as I can really whilst allowing them a small space still to swim.
I think this may be the Nitrite's rocketing part of the cycle so am hoping to come through it. My Nitrate reading is also high at around 80-100ppm.

 

[Yanks15]

Hence the reason I stated about doing fish-in cycles. Keep up the WC's and hopefully you won't loose any more fish. The WC's will help keep the NO3 down too.


Thanks,
Steve

 

[plectastic]

Unfortunately I can't exactly do a fish-less cycle now can I now. I'll just keep up the WC's.

 

[Yanks15]

Unfortunately I can't exactly do a fish-less cycle now can I now. I'll just keep up the WC's.

+1


Thanks,
Steve

 

[Jam Jam]

Keep on the water changes mate,you will get there. I had nitrite readings higher than yours in my cycle and had to do massive water changes to get it down.

 

[plectastic]

Cheers mate. Think the fish hate the constant big changes. The chased tiger barb seems stressed. Can I use something to ease the constant maintenance rigmarole?

 

[Jam Jam]

The only thing I would say is just take your time when adding the water,i would sometimes rush to get it done and pour te water in too fast.the fish don't like it.plant cover so they can hide,is also good.only realy hardy fish in all honesty will survive like danios,that's why everyone on here recommends fish less cycling.i didn't know about cycling at all unfortunately and started a fish in cycle without even knowing!

 

[plectastic]

Still all this time into the fish-in cycle I'm reading Nitrite. Is this normal this far in? I've been doing approx 90% water changes everyday all apart from the odd couple of days where I haven't read any Nitrite or Ammonia. My Nitrates are getting nice and high though finally (40-80)

Thanks god I only have a small tank. Should it really be taking this long? I'm doing everything I can to keep the WC's calm and slow as so not to freak out the fish.