Cycling my 75g - Nitrite problems!

Cichlids4ever

Cichlids4ever

AC Members
Oct 31, 2006
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Hi,
I am new to the forum and need some help.
I set up a 75 g tank on 10/16/06.
I live VERY far from pet centers so Instead of making trips back and forth to town, I stocked the tank right away. I know this is not right, but I did.

I have 8 Malawai Cichlids in there right now, all of which are only about 1 1/2 inches.

I have zero ammonia, nitrates are at 10, but nitrites are stuck at 1.
There is a ton of mixed opinion about large water changes during cycling. Some say yes, some say no.

I have been removing only 10% a week just so nitrites won't get too high.

Even at 1 they are toxic, but I see no stress signs.

What can I possibly do to drop the nitrites? If I already have nitrates, why are there still nitrites? I thought nitrates "eat" nitrites???
P.S. I do not have access to Bio Spira.

Thanks

Joe
 
have you been monitoring the parameters from the start?

normally you see ammonia before nitrites. nitrates do not eat nitrates..nitrates are a by product from the bacteria that consume nitrite.

what test kit are you using, strips or drip?

since you started this tank approx 2 weeks ago I would expect to see ammonia readings ..but that is not to rule out you could be seeing nitrite readings.

stay on top of the water changes.
 
It is not neccessary to do water changes when doing a fishless cycle but, once you add fish they become the priority not the cycle. I would increase you water changes to 30-40% and continue to monitor levels.
 
Thanks

star_rider said:
have you been monitoring the parameters from the start?

normally you see ammonia before nitrites. nitrates do not eat nitrates..nitrates are a by product from the bacteria that consume nitrite.

what test kit are you using, strips or drip?

since you started this tank approx 2 weeks ago I would expect to see ammonia readings ..but that is not to rule out you could be seeing nitrite readings.

stay on top of the water changes.
Click to expand...

I monitored my water from the get go.
First tested the tap water and all that was fine.

After about 4 days, the ammonia went to just under.25. 2 days later I had Nitrites at 1 and they have stayed there ever since. ammonia went away, and nitrates came into play now at about 10.
PH is 8.2. I have cichlids so I need that.

Sorry about my terminology that nitrates "eat" nitrites.
The way I see the cycle is ammonia, then nitrite, then nitrate.
Ammonia and Nitrite fall to 0, and nitrate stays at about 5 - 10, and you are cycled.
I have a Aquarium Pharmaceuticals master test kit.
Also, my GH and KH are 75 - 100, also good for cichlids according to the kit.

It's like it is stalled here.
 
This I know

twig said:
Nitrite can take a long time to level off if you dont cycle properly.
Click to expand...

I know that nitrites can take a long time but I explained why I couldn't cycle properly.
I cannot drive back and forth to town for fish and supplies. It is simply way to far to do.

Cycle properly?
What is that?
How do I do it now that fish are in?

I guess I'll do what kmgriff says to do.
Water changes.
 
Last edited:
Cichlids4ever said:
I know that nitrites can take a long time but I explained why I couldn't cycle properly.
I cannot drive back and forth to town for fish and supplies. It is simply way to far to do.

Cycle properly?
What is that?
How do I do it now that fish are in?

I guess I'll do what kmgriff says to do.
Water changes.
Click to expand...

1) nitrite at 1 is consider high. You need to do weekly water change of 30% at min. preferrably twice a week.
2) i have the AP test kit as well, my nitrate reading was 10 initially too. I wouldnt worry about that too much. Once nitrite start going down then monitor nitrate careful as it will go up.

So what you do now is monitor ammonia/nitrite/nitrate carefully. Ammonia / nitrite should be kept under 0.5 during a fish cycle, nitrate below 40. If any are above, starting doing 30% water changes.

That's why people recommand fishless cycle as you dont need to worry about fish or constant water changes, it's much easier. But i can understand some time it's just not feasible
 
yup, just stay on top of the water changes and you can weather thru this.
 
Thanks to all!

star_rider said:
yup, just stay on top of the water changes and you can weather thru this.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all of you for helping.
This is a nice forum.

I have started a water change now, maybe anohther small one tomorrow till I get the nitrates lowered.

It's odd how everything else is OK, isn't it?

Never a real ammonia spike or anything else, just the nitrite.
I'll post back when things settle down. Too bad I can't get that Bio Spira!
 
Nice Tank By the way

gagaliya said:
1) nitrite at 1 is consider high. You need to do weekly water change of 30% at min. preferrably twice a week.
2) i have the AP test kit as well, my nitrate reading was 10 initially too. I wouldnt worry about that too much. Once nitrite start going down then monitor nitrate careful as it will go up.

So what you do now is monitor ammonia/nitrite/nitrate carefully. Ammonia / nitrite should be kept under 0.5 during a fish cycle, nitrate below 40. If any are above, starting doing 30% water changes.

That's why people recommand fishless cycle as you dont need to worry about fish or constant water changes, it's much easier. But i can understand some time it's just not feasible
Click to expand...

You have a real nice setup...Gagaliya
I just did my water changes and the nitrite went to .5
Ammonia 0
Nitrate is 5

Here is a link to my 75 gallon. I hope my fish are OK...
I only have 8 cichlids in my tank...I don't how many I could have, but it is a start.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q118/Cichlids4Ever/Web75_Gallon-1.jpg
 
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