Did my fishless cycle finish?

[hutucong]

I set up a new 10g tank with an external power filter. I added clear ammonia and two weeks late, ammonia starts to be zero after 24 hours. Then I started to test nitrite. My testing kit will show red if nitire is 5ppm, if zero it is light blue. At first the testing result is always red. After two weeks, at the begining of the testing when I drop the test soutions into water, it turns to red immediately. After I shake the tub and waite 5 minutes, it turns to be a light green althought not very match with light blue (0ppm) shown at the testing color card. Anyway I thought cycle is done. I waited two days, everything is OK. So I changed 80% of the water and went to local PetMart with water samples.

What makes me frustrate is the guy at PetMart tested my water and said that both nitrite and nitrate are very high. PH is 8.2, although ammonia is perfect. Then he suggested some water additives. I told him I did fishless cycle already. (it seems he never heard about that. When he heard that I added ammonia to tank, he said no no you can not do that!) He just said I need some water additive.

I knew my well water is high pH, I decide to bring tap waters from my company's rest room when I need wate changing. PH is not my concern. However nitrite/nitrate is a problem.

Because he only spent less than one minute to tell me the result. I wonder if it is too short and he did not see the final color developing result for nitrite test? I mentioned it to him too. He said nitrite testing will finally turn to light blue no matter how much nitrite in the water. If it shows red at fitst second, it menas it is high?

I wonder if this guy is right? And if he is right, what kind of suggestion your guys can give? More patient and more time?

Thanks!

 

[Gambusia]

What kind of test kit do you have?

If nitrates and nitrites are high add some Amquel plus to bring them down.

Or go to another LFS for another water test opinion, if you can.

 

[hutucong]

The testing kit is from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc, i think it is a popular one.

 

[Gambusia]

I've got the same one.

It works.

I would still go to another LFS and get another water test.

It does sound like your nitrites are high.

 

[zazz]

I have never seen my nitrite test respond as you describe. Mine has always started out as light blue, then changed.( sometimes changes quite fast) I have never seen it change back within 5 minutes. When I have 0 nitrites, my test doesnt change color at all. It stays the pale blue always.

I'd agree, however that it sounds like you have nitrites, and try another fish store if you can.
I wouldn't add anything, (you don't have fish yet, right?) I'd say just proceed with the fishless cycling procedure of your choice untill you get clear 0 nitrite reading, and see the nitrates rise. I doubt that the water change wil slow you down very much.
I suppose you could bring your test kit into a store and have them try it to be sure its not defective. I have NO idea how likely it is for a test kit to be defective it may be impossible for all I know. It was just a thought

 

[hutucong]

Thanks , guys for all your answer.

I tested the water before 80% water change. It was OK. Then I changed the water and bring the new water to fish store. Now I tested the water in the tank. It DOES show a very high nitrite. It is weird.

The water I put to tank is about 8g. Half is from my company's tap water. I put it in a bucket for almost 4 days. And another half is from my home's underground water, I knew it has a high pH but 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite.

I only tested tap water's PH value, it is 7. that is why I want to mix some inot my home's water which has a very high pH. Maybe the tap water has some nitrites?

 

[mishi8]

The weird result you got with the nitrite and nitrate test is because your levels are completely off the chart. I had the same happen with my fishless cycle. The nitrite test would go dark and then lighten up to an odd blue/green at the 5 minute mark. My nitrate test never showed above an odd looking 10ppm colour. I tried testing again with 1 part tank water and 4 parts tap water...that gave me a readable test colour, and I could do an estimate of how high the ppm actually were...and they were obscenely high!!!

Do some water changes to get the nitrites back to a more "normal" range and to keep your cycle from stalling. Too high nitrites will slow the process down and it will take forever to finish. Trust me, I've BTDT and I'm surprised I didn't give up on the process all together. Also be careful how much ammonia you add. Once you see nitrites, you don't want to add more than half the original dose.

mishi8

 

[hutucong]

Thank you, mishi8

I think your explaination is quite reasonable and convincing.

Well, it seems I am on the right path, I changed the water and the nitrite reading is now at a readable range and I will go on my cycling!

The weird result you got with the nitrite and nitrate test is because your levels are completely off the chart. I had the same happen with my fishless cycle. The nitrite test would go dark and then lighten up to an odd blue/green at the 5 minute mark. My nitrate test never showed above an odd looking 10ppm colour. I tried testing again with 1 part tank water and 4 parts tap water...that gave me a readable test colour, and I could do an estimate of how high the ppm actually were...and they were obscenely high!!!

Do some water changes to get the nitrites back to a more "normal" range and to keep your cycle from stalling. Too high nitrites will slow the process down and it will take forever to finish. Trust me, I've BTDT and I'm surprised I didn't give up on the process all together. Also be careful how much ammonia you add. Once you see nitrites, you don't want to add more than half the original dose.

mishi8