cycling questions... big surprise...

[PuppyFluffer]

I think that's normal.

I started with established media, so I assumed that I was importing both kinds of bacteria at the same time....which made me think it would take about the same amount of time to get the nitrite down and turned into nitrate as it did to get the ammonia from 4-5ppm.

Ammonia took 4 days.
Nitrite took 11 days.

I thought possibly that the nitrite eating bacteria has been starved while awaiting for the ammonia eating bacteria to multiply so I squeezed another filter sponge over the filter. I even changed out the original starter sponge with a new one from the 10 gallon - all in an effort to move the bacteria along. It still took 11 days

 

[colinsk]

You have very healthy bacteria for converting ammonia to nitrites, your bacteria for converting nitrites to nitrates is still growing. It seems to go faster for people that keep the nitrites below 5ppm. I have not read this any where but reading posts here people that get stuck tend to be above 5 ppm nitrites.

 

[leeser28]

You have very healthy bacteria for converting ammonia to nitrites, your bacteria for converting nitrites to nitrates is still growing. It seems to go faster for people that keep the nitrites below 5ppm. I have not read this any where but reading posts here people that get stuck tend to be above 5 ppm nitrites.

I agree!!

 

[deeleywoman]

whooooo-hoooo! my 'trites are comin' down!

 

[Rbishop]

Congrats...getting there!