Need Help Quick!!!!

ClimbAZ527

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Sep 26, 2003
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I think my 20g is finally cycling, cuz my nitrite and nitrate readings are high even though the ammonia level is very very low. I think my nitrite reading is between 1 and 2 ppm (closer to 1 though I think) and my nitrate reading is between 40 and 60 ppm. What should I do? Is this a good or bad thing? Please be specific with as much detail as possible and thank you to everyone who helps me out.

Many Thanks,
Heath
 
Fish or no?

If you have fish in the tank you can change some water. Be sure to match temperature and use the appropriate dechlorinator. Picky fish keepers try to stay closer to 20 ppm nitrate, so a water change of 25%, or even one each day, until you get to 20 ppm would be fine.

If this is a fishless cycle, using ammonia, then don't worry about that unless the nitrates get really high, like 80 or higher. I read somewhere that really high nitrates can slow the cycle, but I don't recall the numbers or source -- sorry.

A bit of salt will help fish tolerate the nitrite, 1 teaspoon to 5 gallons, on the second and third day you can repeat, for a total of 3 teaspoons per 5 gallons. Do this slow to avoid shocking the biofilter. But the water change will help tremendously and so do both.

Keep an eye on this, when nitrites go to zero you are done cycling. Then water changes keep the end product, nitrates, under control. As you add fish, this cycle may repeat if you go too fast. So go slow.
 
Cool, 20ppm. I've been doing daily water changes of about 30% each day, just getting worried; one of my Dickfelds is staying too close to the water line on a regular basis, looks like stres but the others are doing fine, guess I should expect to lose him during the cycle, just a shame I've lost a few already *sigh*

Many Thanks,
Heath
 
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