Nitrite > Nitrate.. How Much Longer?

[plectastic]

I have been fish-in cycling for about 2.5 weeks now successfully. I don't think the bacteria that convert Nitrite to Nitrate are fully established yet however.

My ammonia readings have been 0 and my Nitrate has been up and down with water changes. From 40-80 initially, then steadily between 10-30 up till now.

My Nitrite readings have been reading up to 0.25 initially, and now between 0.05-0.20 for the last 6 days.

Presumably the bacteria that convert the Ammonia to Nitrite are working well but I am confused really about the bacteria handling the Nitrite>Nitrate part.

I've been doing approx 75% water changes when I started reading any Nitrite, and now 50% daily as the Nitrite readings have started to slowly come down.

Is there anything else I should be looking out for?

They are liquid based Api Master Kit readings.

 

[Yanks15]

You should see a nitrite spike then nothing. When you get to "0" for both NH3 and NO2, test for another week to make sure the stats are stable. Do a decent sized water change to get NO3 in check and you are done.

Unfortunately, doing a fish-in cycle is a less accurate than fish-less. It depends on how much feed, do WC's, temp, etc. With a fish-less, you know exactly how much ammonia you are adding and how long it takes to be consumed. Be patient.


Thanks,
Steve

 

[#1 Fish Fan]

[sup]When I started fishkeeping I always got those two mixed up! They only have one letter difference![/sup]

 

[plectastic]

Wow. No need really for that obvious one and the ridiculous font and size...

Yes, it's total ammonia I am reading. It was reading 0 for a while in the first week then I started seeing some Nitrite. I'm changing the water everyday to stop it creeping up. It is minimal (not even the lowest reading on the colour card) but I don't want to let it sit.

 

[Yanks15]

That's the real pain of doing fish-in cycles. Daily WC's are needed to control the NH3 and NO2 and protect the fish. It does take a while to cycle any tank but a little longer for fish-in. Just keep on truckin' !


Thanks,
Steve

 

[plectastic]

Yeah, sadly learnt most of my knowledge once I had already bought fish!

I would of done a fish less cycle if I had done my research first. My next big tank will be a fish less cycle for definite!

 

[Yanks15]

The best part of having a cycled filter is the ability to take a little media out for the next tank, assuming you enough.


Thanks,
Steve

 

[plectastic]

I was thinking about this last night actually. I'll have a nice big external filter on my big tank that my current media (sponge in cage and biological in another cage) won't fit into. Can I just float it in the water to help the process or must it go into the filter?

 

[Yanks15]

Really need to put the media in the filter so there is flow through it. Can't you just slice off a bit? I have sponges that I cut up in my filters for possible move to other tanks and I know others do it all the time. Just don't take more than 25% of the mature media and stuff it where you can in the new filter. I've used Aqua Clear filters for years because of that.


Thanks,
Steve

 

[#1 Fish Fan]

I know this bugs people but...

There is no need to flood a topic with a conversation. It would be best to PM or use chat.

 

[plectastic]

This is my thread. You are just posting crud! Get out of my thread!

Thanks Yanks15 I'll just do that when the time comes then, cheers.

 

[Yanks15]

I know this bugs people but...

There is no need to flood a topic with a conversation. It would be best to PM or use chat.

?

 

[fluttermoth]

Just a reminder to everyone to stay polite and refrain from personal attacks on other members, please.

In general, things are better discussed on the forum, rather than in chat or by PM; that way everyone benefits from the information.

 

[Yanks15]

Just a reminder to everyone to stay polite and refrain from personal attacks on other members, please.

In general, things are better discussed on the forum, rather than in chat or by PM; that way everyone benefits from the information.

+1


Thanks,
Steve

 

[Royston]

Yeah, sadly learnt most of my knowledge once I had already bought fish!

I would of done a fish less cycle if I had done my research first. My next big tank will be a fish less cycle for definite!

I have done a fish in cycle in my six foot tank 3 weeks ago.. I now have 35 small community all very happy and water good.. I used media from my koi pond and put it in the sump filter and has worked well