Cycle seems to have stopped

gstty · Jun 12, 2023

I am started my first saltwater aquarium. Its been Cycling for a month. Ammonia is 0. I had to do a water change as the nitrites where above 5ppm. But now it is 1-2 ppm. Nitrates are 10 ppm. Nitrites are not goin down anymore. I did add 1ppm of ammonia and it was gone back to 0 within a day. Is my Cycle done? Stalled? Still going?

cloak · Jun 12, 2023

Maybe put a snail or two in the tank? If they don't die within the next 3 weeks or so maybe add a fish? Go slow...

On a side note; if you used live rock you should see all kinds of life growing. Spirorbid worms, sponges etc. This is a good sign. GL.

Reefer Matt · Jun 12, 2023

I think you are good. I would not add any ammonia. For more info @brandon429 may be able to help.

Cell · Jun 12, 2023

Should be done. Nitrite is not harmful to marine fish, you don't need to worry about it. Its presence is an indicator your cycle is progressing and also means you cannot test nitrate accurately. What was your cycling method, add a shrimp and wait a month? If you used live rock and/or bottled bac you were good to go weeks ago.

gstty · Jun 12, 2023

Cell said:
Should be done. Nitrite is not harmful to marine fish, you don't need to worry about it. Its presence is an indicator your cycle is progressing and also means you cannot test nitrate accurately. What was your cycling method, add a shrimp and wait a month? If you used live rock and/or bottled bac you were good to go weeks ago.

I used microbacter start xlm with ammoniua. Took 2-3 weeks for ammonia to be at 0.

collins.jason.k · Jun 12, 2023

Do not add any more ammonia. You added bottled bacteria and your rocks have been wet for the required amount of time to sustain life. Don't overload your tank with fish, start slow. How big of a tank and how much rock?

gstty · Jun 12, 2023

collins.jason.k said:
Do not add any more ammonia. You added bottled bacteria and your rocks have been wet for the required amount of time to sustain life. Don't overload your tank with fish, start slow. How big of a tank and how much rock?

Its a 20 Gallon tank. there are 7 rocks, the caribsea purple rocks. As well as a sand bed. I put this tank together with getting a pair of clownfish in mind.

collins.jason.k · Jun 12, 2023

gstty said:
Its a 20 Gallon tank. there are 7 rocks, the caribsea purple rocks. As well as a sand bed. I put this tank together with getting a pair of clownfish in mind.

Im confident you can put in your pair of clowns and they will survive. Now you will want to get your fish and QT and do disease prep to keep their home healthy.