Can high nitrITE stall a cycle?

[Nickiesandra]

Hi all! I am new here! I am beyond frustrated looking for answers. A little back story, I set up my 36 gallon bow front aquarium 23 days ago. I used 15 pounds of dry rock, 20 pounds of live sand and several bacterial additives along the way including bio-spira, stability and at the advice of lfs a bottle of start smart. I kickstarted my cycle with raw shrimp (I know there are strong feelings about this both for and against). I changed the shrimp out every 3 days for 9 days then removed it entirely. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were all off the charts. Ammonia finally dropped to 2ppm and I again went to lfs where they advised me to do a 25% water change and then add another bottle of bio-spira. So I did that two nights ago. The good news is ammonia is finally at 0, however, nitrites and nitrates are still off the charts now. I diluted a tank sample with 50/50 with fresh rodi water and still nitrites off the charts. I cannot find an answer anywhere if high nitrites stall the cycle. I am super frustrated. I don’t mind waiting another 2 months if necessary but if it is stalled and I am no further along in 2 months I would literally cry. Lol. I have a huge and hideous diatom bloom, which is fine, I understand that it’s part of the cycle and I also understand that nothing good happens fast in a saltwater tank. I just want a clear answer on the nitrites stalling a cycle? Yes or no? Sorry this is so long I just know if I don’t include al of the info then it won’t be a clear picture. Thanks so much in advance!!

 

[jordan10]

Sry for the frustration. Hang in there. Just want say welcome. I am not sure if they will stall a cycle. So I can't give a yes or no. But I say give another week. I am sure some one on here can give u a simple yes or no answer

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Welcome to the lagoon!

 

[Nickiesandra]

Thank you for your reply!

 

[FARMBOYREEF]

Hi all! I am new here! I am beyond frustrated looking for answers. A little back story, I set up my 36 gallon bow front aquarium 23 days ago. I used 15 pounds of dry rock, 20 pounds of live sand and several bacterial additives along the way including bio-spira, stability and at the advice of lfs a bottle of start smart. I kickstarted my cycle with raw shrimp (I know there are strong feelings about this both for and against). I changed the shrimp out every 3 days for 9 days then removed it entirely. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were all off the charts. Ammonia finally dropped to 2ppm and I again went to lfs where they advised me to do a 25% water change and then add another bottle of bio-spira. So I did that two nights ago. The good news is ammonia is finally at 0, however, nitrites and nitrates are still off the charts now. I diluted a tank sample with 50/50 with fresh rodi water and still nitrites off the charts. I cannot find an answer anywhere if high nitrites stall the cycle. I am super frustrated. I don’t mind waiting another 2 months if necessary but if it is stalled and I am no further along in 2 months I would literally cry. Lol. I have a huge and hideous diatom bloom, which is fine, I understand that it’s part of the cycle and I also understand that nothing good happens fast in a saltwater tank. I just want a clear answer on the nitrites stalling a cycle? Yes or no? Sorry this is so long I just know if I don’t include al of the info then it won’t be a clear picture. Thanks so much in advance!!

Welcome to R2R

 

[jordan10]

Thank you for your reply!

I don't think it's in a stall if the nitrite and nitrate are off the chart then it's going to just take time coming down it being a new tank. But I have never done the shrimp. I just put coupe Hardy fish and used a bottle of colony. And had live rock so I know that helped. With the dry rock might just take while. Maybe just little water changes but then idk with it being so new. Sorry.

 

[huckjai]

Welcome to R2R!
I don't think high nitrites will stall a cycle. If you're getting 0 ammonia, that's a good sign. Maybe you don't have quite enough of the bacteria that converts nitrites to nitrates yet. Not too sure what you meant when you said you diluted a tank sample with 50/50 rodi water? Did you do a water change? I suggest doing a large water change and test again.

@brandon429 thoughts on this?

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Welcome to R2R! Ok stop buying stuff at that lfs for at least two weeks! Your tank will make it’s own bacteria. Your nitrites and nitrates will go down soon. Keep your tank lights off for a little while longer.

Check out this video. It has some good info.

The BRS/WWC Hybrid 4-month SPS tank cycle - The BRS/WWC System Ep12 - BRStv

Today Ryan explains how we plan to cycle our BRS/WWC Hybrid System tanks and, as much as it hurts to wait, why a 4-month cycle is probably the most stable and simple way to create a stunning SPS dominant tank! #BRSWWC #reefingmethods Need a tank cycle starter kit? This week you can WIN one...

aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[brandon429]

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[rob taft]

Answer: No. I also agree with Huckjai and Skynard. Also check out this informative talk.

 

[bubbaque]

Yes high nitrite can stall a cycle. I would do a water change to get your nitrite down as the bacteria needed to convert to nitrate do not grow in high nitrite.

Here is a video from Dr. Tim who can explain it better. He talks about how it stalls at 17:20 in the video.

 

[brandon429]

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[brandon429]

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[SMSREEF]

Welcome Nickiesandra

Different bacteria do different parts of the cycle. The bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite start first. It takes a while to get nitrite so they come next.

I bet it won’t take too much longer.

Bacteria from an established tank speeds things up dramatically. I am trying to set up a quarantine now and it’s taking forever with dry rock and bacteria in a bottle.

when I set up a tank with a few ceramic bio balls from another established 2 year old tank, It didn’t even have a cycle.

Using from another established tank has risks though... you bring along everything that may be wrong too...

 

[Nickiesandra]

Yes high nitrite can stall a cycle. I would do a water change to get your nitrite down as the bacteria needed to convert to nitrate do not grow in high nitrite.

Here is a video from Dr. Tim who can explain it better. He talks about how it stalls at 17:20 in the video.

Omg!! Where was this video 4 weeks ago?! This is amazing! I am so in love with this video I am going to spread it far and wide in the 15 other forums/groups I am involved in! Thank you soooo much!!!