Cycling nitrites vs nitrates and stalling

dfm34 · Jun 4, 2015

So it has Been a while since I cycled a tank and been re reading some info and saw that high nitrites can produce a false reading with nitrates? Also, I don't believe this is accurate as much as as it is a lack of patience but can high nitrates stall a cycle?

Thanks in advance Dan

beaslbob · Jun 4, 2015

sometime high nitrItes can linger on for weeks. What I do is not feed after adding that first fish. nitrItes can still peg the kit (api 5ppm) but drop down a couple of days later.
FWIW I have heard that the api nitrate test kit actually converts the nitrates to nitrites then measures that. So nitrItes can produce a false nitrate reading. But that is just what I have heard.
high nitrates can not stall the aerobic cycle because they are at the end of that cycle. They can be hard to get down if you don't have algaes IME.

my .02

redfishbluefish · Jun 4, 2015

First off, nitrites really aren't an issue with saltwater tanks. I'd actually recommend not even testing for them, short of wanting to see the "cycle" through to nitrate. What will "stall" a cycle is death of the bacteria. If you're actually dosing ammonia, over dosing could be problematic. As long as the bacteria is alive and thriving, I'm not aware of the presence of nitrite or nitrate stalling the process. In fact, the presence of nitrate is telling you your cycle is done. Now if that nitrate number is high (and I would expect it would be) you'll want to do a water change before adding creatures.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 4, 2015

Are you cycling a tank now?
Yes, nitrite can cause some kits to read false high on nitrate. In some cases, a lot more nitrate than the nitrite reading.

I don't think nitrate can "stall" a cycle.

dfm34 · Jun 4, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Are you cycling a tank now?
Yes, nitrite can cause some kits to read false high on nitrate. In some cases, a lot more nitrate than the nitrite reading.

I don't think nitrate can "stall" a cycle.

I am cycling started about 5 weeks ago

These are my current test results

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 5
Nitrates 50

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 5, 2015

How are you cycling?

What does that nitrite kit read on RO/DI water or new salt water?

dfm34 · Jun 5, 2015

I placed a raw shrimp in the tank and removed it once ammonia reached 1 ppm which was about two weeks in. I have to check what my nitrites are on new salt water and rodi. I will say my first test of the tank for nitrites showed zero now almost as soon as I add drops it turns dark purple.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 5, 2015

You may lack a good source of bacteria, so adding some live rock or sand from another tank may help speed things along.

dfm34 · Jun 5, 2015

Forgot to mention I did seed with a few live rocks 5lbs in a 180 but I will add more

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 5, 2015

OK, let us know what happens.

dfm34 · Jun 5, 2015

Great thanks for the help will update you all soon. Dan

redfishbluefish · Jun 5, 2015

dfm34 said:
Forgot to mention I did seed with a few live rocks 5lbs in a 180 but I will add more

You could also add bacteria-in-a-bottle.....something like IO BioSpira or Dr. Tim's One and Only.

dfm34 · Jun 5, 2015

Never used this before will have to explore

beaslbob · Jun 5, 2015

dfm34 said:
Never used this before will have to explore

IMHO bacteria in a bottle are a total waste of money.
1) aerobic bacteria will build up free of charge.
2) the bottled bacteria may already be dead anyway
3) plant life (fw plants Marine algae) will directly consume ammonia preventing the ammonia spikes anyway.

So I just start the tank with plant life, let it condition the tank, and add fish slowly so the plant life is always in control.

my .02