nitrite spike!!

[wilson004]

i am in the process of a fishless cycle and the nitrite has spiked and fallen already(i use a liquid af test for nitrite), but my ammonia is still saying its at 3 ppm(i use jungle test strips for ammonia).do u think its safe to do a 90% water change and add some fish?if not what should i do?

 

[zazz]

Don't add fish until the ammonia and nitrite read zero consistantly.
Are you still adding ammonia? if so, at what rate?

 

[wilson004]

i havent added ammonia for like 4 days now..i dont know what has happened, it seemed when the nitrite spiked the ammonia eating bacteria slowed down

 

[luvmyfish]

Don't add fish yet, if your ammonia is still reading 3 ppm on the fourth day, your tank hasn't finished cycling yet. No amount of water change will finish this cycle for you, give it more time. How long have you been cycling this tank? What are your nitrites reading at?

 

[daveedka]

Buy a reliable testing method, and re-check. Unless you depleted Kh and Crashed Ph stopping the cycle, the ammonia eaters should not have slowed down noticably. Dip strips are notoriuos for being inconsistant, and generally useless methods of testing.
Dave

 

[wilson004]

nitrites are at 0, like i said they have already spiked and went bak down.ive been cycling for abour a month probably a bit over.if my ph or kh did crash do i have to start over or what should i do?

 

[wilson004]

i tested for nitrites today now there from 0 to 4ppm, whats going on and what should i do?

 

[Holly9937]

If you can't get a liquid test kit of your own, take a water sample to an LFS and ask for exact numbers, they will do that for free

 

[Kasakato]

i tested for nitrites today now there from 0 to 4ppm, whats going on and what should i do?

You should get a better master test kit, like this: http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19383;category_id=3111;pcid1=3233;pcid2=

It looks like you are re cycling. Have you cleaned the tank yet?

 

[wilson004]

no i havent cleaned the tank yet, it was cyling for like over a month.y would it start recycling?