Ok, Nitrates are up but now Nitrites out of nowhere

F

Felix T Cat

AC Members
Nov 28, 2008
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Fishless cycle (driving me crazy btw) added Ammonia when I started, then added good filter material. Ammonia levels started dropping, 0 nitrites and Nitrate levels going up.
2 days ago I tested and had
2ppm Ammonia
0 Nitrites
10 Nitrates

today I have 0 Ammonia, 0.5 Nitrites and 25 Nitrates

WTF ?. When I saw the Ammonia levels and the Nitrates I got excited because I could finally add fish but then the Nitrites came out of nowhere.

Suggestions ?
 
The Nitrobacter sp. that convert nitrite into nitrate can be a little slower as their source of food is dependent on the Nitrosomas sp. converting ammonia to nitrite.

Adding filter material greatly increases the numbers of bacteria in your tank. However it does not always provide enough to consider the tank cycled immediately. It just shortens the time it takes to finishby several weeks.

You should dose daily with ammonia up to 2ppm and when both the ammonia and nitrite is gone in 24 hours your are ready to go. It will probably be there in the next two days.
 
where did you get 'good' filter material?
got any more?
 
lol you goof.

I am not surprised you are seeing a low nitrite spike. there are different types of bacteria which develop to convert the products. Its likely your spikes will be much minimized, but the colonies still have to develop to your dosing regimen. I have 5 juvie discus and 5 sterbais in a 75g tank, that is not a high bioload.
 
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