Cycling New Tank

[BlakeB58]

Hello! Sorry for this over asked dumb question in advance.. But after reading all of the other threads im more confused than I originally was.. So I have had the tank setup for about 3 weeks and my ammonia is finally at 0. Testing nitrites they are reading super high (above 1 on the red sea kit) and nitrates are reading between 10-20 on the red sea kit.

Ive read that this is normal and doesnt matter and im good to add fish, ive also read I need to do a water change to bring down nitrites. Im just confused and any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

You can always change water to see if it will bring down the nitrites!

 

[kvansloo]

Do 15% water change, and add fish slowly add 2-3 but wait a week or 2 for the Bio to adjust before adding others.

 

[Garf]

Hello! Sorry for this over asked dumb question in advance.. But after reading all of the other threads im more confused than I originally was.. So I have had the tank setup for about 3 weeks and my ammonia is finally at 0. Testing nitrites they are reading super high (above 1 on the red sea kit) and nitrates are reading between 10-20 on the red sea kit.

Ive read that this is normal and doesnt matter and im good to add fish, ive also read I need to do a water change to bring down nitrites. Im just confused and any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Did you start off at 2 ppm ammonia? If so you'll probably find the majority of it has been consumed recently. Don't worry about nitrites, except it will mess with your nitrate test, rendering it useless. You can probably add fish conservatively without concern but keep your lights low, longer the better. Add snails at first sign of algae. You got a pic of the tank?

 

[BlakeB58]

You can always change water to see if it will bring down the nitrites!

Do 15% water change, and add fish slowly add 2-3 but wait a week or 2 for the Bio to adjust before adding others.

Thanks, I will do this!

Did you start off at 2 ppm ammonia? If so you'll probably find the majority of it has been consumed recently. Don't worry about nitrites, except it will mess with your nitrate test, rendering it useless. You can probably add fish conservatively without concern but keep your lights low, longer the better. Add snails at first sign of algae. You got a pic of the tank?

Yes I did! I dosed the DrTim Ammonia chloride to 2 PPM. And tested until 0. But that's good to know about the nitrate test. I only have a 16g LED BioCube as that's all the wife would permit for now, ill upload some pics when I'm home from work.

Thanks again everyone!