Nitrite Spike

[MithrilRider]

I'm doing a fishless cycle on my tank and I'm a bit confused after my test results. What exactly is a nitrite spike? Is it just when you first see nitrite appear? I tested Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate before putting in any ammonia and they were all 0. Today after I added ammonia and got it to 5 ppm I waited about 8 hours and tested the nitrite and I got .5 ppm. Can this be right?

 

[ProGolferCL6]

ya it can because it goes from ammonia to nitrite to nitrate, it can take a while ffor the ammonia to decompose, especially in a new tank...im going through the same thing right now...my tank has been up for about 72 hours and im just starting to show some ammonia and nitrite....but nothing for nitrates...im doing a cycle with some fish and plants...and i just took the filter from another tank and set it up on the new one

keep us updated!!!!!!! and good luck!!!!!!!

 

[luxum]

Pretty soon that nitrite will be off the test kit chart - that's a spike. You can switch to the half dose now that you are seeing nitrites.

 

[nero]

Hi MithrilRider,
Just thought i'd add that ive just finished a fishless cycle, and the nitrite spike is usually the longest. The ammonia bacteria sets up pretty quick. Anyway, my point is as soon as you get your nitrites up to 10ppm or so, do make sure you add less ammonia. In my opinion you are better off adding as little ammonia as possible, as it seems that people (including me) have found that lots of ammonia slows the reproduction of the nitrite bacteria. So maybe if you are home enough, add enough ammonia to get it to 1 or 2 ppm in the morning, and again when that has been consumed, like in the evening. My nitrites didnt fully drop until I was hardly adding any ammonia at all.

Hope this hasnt confused you, but to summarize, wait till your nitrites are higher, then halve the dose of ammonia, and if possible add half of that ammonia twice a day.

 

[skimpy]

Hi

I found understanding the Nitrogen cycle very confusing at first then I came across a website that was really helpful at explaining it. Give it a try see what you think.

www.pondenterprised.com

then choose fish information menu page
then choose filteration
then choose The Nitrogen Cycle

Good Luck