Should I do a water change

[catt410]

Ok week 6 of fishless cycle. My amonia depleats everyday to 0, unless I add tons and then it is still low the next day. If I add five capfuls it will hike back up to 3 or 4 but then drop back down to 0 the next day. Last night I added 13 capfuls and today it was at back down to 2.

My nitrites look stuck. Should I just hold out or do a water change (tap watert is 0 everything).

Will this ever end????????

 

[didy]

If you're still seeing nitrites, you're not cycled yet.

 

[Rbishop]

As long as the nitrites do not go to zero, along with the ammonia, you are not there.

 

[Coler]

hmmm...what test kit are you using ?

 

[richos]

Like rbishop said...your not there yet...sounds like the bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite have established a good colony...however if your nitrites are 'stuck' then the bacterail colony that converts the nitrites into nitrates hasent established itself yet...hang in there if its been 6 weeks and that much ammonia is disapearing overnight it shouldnt be long b4 your full'o'fish
If you have an extra filter from another tank that you could put in next to you new filter, then it might get a bit of a kick along from the bacteria that is present in the old (cycled) filter.
Also you could try taking a water sample into your LFS for testing...your test kit may have a dodgy batch of indicator.

 

[ct-death]

Don't O.D. on the Ammonia, in very high concentrations it can do some harm and slow things up a bit, but it sounds like you are darn near home free here!

Test your nitrItes and nitrAtes. You should see your Ites dropping rappidly as well, and down to zero overnight when done. The WC (very large one) will be needed at the end to reduce your nitrAtes and any remaining ammonianitrItes in the tank over 0.25 to zero before adding fish.

Looking very, very good.

 

[TKOS]

What is the pH and hardness of your tank water? If those have dropped significantly from what your tap water is then a small water change to re-establish buffers may help speed things up.

 

[catt410]

I am using APi liquid test. I stoped testing the nitrates because the nitrites are through the roof so I figured untill the rites are down all that matters is the amonia. I will hold tight for now.................

Thanks everyone...

 

[Coler]

hang on in there...fingers crossed you start seeing good numbers soon

 

[Mgamer20o0]

it takes time. but your close.