Cycling question

[KJAhp098]

I'm at the 6 week mark of my cycle after using Dr. Tim's pure ammonium along with One and Only and Brightwells MicroBacter. My ammonia reached 2.0ppm and within a day, my nitrites reached 5ppm. After about 4 weeks I started to see my nitrates rise to about 40 ppm.
Since then my ammonia has gone down to 0, my nitrites have stayed at 5ppm and my nitrates have gone down to about 5.

This has all happened without a water change.

I'm also running BRS GFO and 2 of the Brightwells Xport bricks...one for phosphates and one for nitrates. (I'm using BRS dry pukani rock so I'd figure this will help keep my phosphates low)

Does it make sense that my nitrates would lower without my nitrites? Is there a different type of bacteria that reduces nitrites vs. nitrates vs ammonia? Would a water change help reduce nitrites?

 

[Ruben's Reef]

When I cycled my tank using DR. Tim bacteria and ammonia, I didn't have no GFO or any other additctive until my tank has 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 10ppm of Nitrates. I did a 10% WC and in 3 weeks my tank was cycle. I would not use anything, even a skimmer while the tank is cycling. Remember, patience is golden on this hobby. In your case I would do a 10% WC and see how the parameter reads. Now, what test kit your are using for those results?

By the way, Welcome to R2R !!!

 

[W1ngz]

You can't get nitrates if nitrite isn't going down. Possible testing error or bad test kit.

You have a lot of things going on in there for removing phosphates and nitrates. All of the additional stuff is:

1. bad because you have probably finished your cycle but can't tell because of the extra exporting going on

2. you're removing phosphates in two ways, but are you testing for them? There's a delicate balance between too much and too little nitrate and phosphate in a healthy tank. it's a bit soon to start thinking about too much of those technical details, but in general anything you are trying to add or export, should be followed with proper testing.

 

[KJAhp098]

I'm testing with an API test kit and I have a different established reef with readings of 0 across the board, so I don't believe it's a testing kit error. I'm thinking that my nitrites have been lowering, but I'm unable to tell because they were well above 5ppm.

The reason I'm using the Xport bricks is because I seeded them with MicroBacter. The bricks were not added until I started seeing nitrates. I'm using GFO because I've started several tanks before this with BRS pukani rock and the phosphates have always been through the roof.

By the way...I'm in no rush to introduce fish. I just wanted somebody else's experience and input because I've never seen nitrates reduced without nitrites reduced.

 

[brandon429]

you are cycled, its done, regardless of what your tests read. all those kits have searchable threads for misreads anyway.

the reason we know you are cycled is because every reef tank is cycled when it runs with the boosters you've used within 30 days, and you are past that. whether or not tests line up luckily wont matter, its done.

google cycling charts all show the same dates no matter what page they come from for a reason. Ammonia and nitrite always comply by day ~20 for a reason, although 98% of testers will not show that.

its us that's off, not the 50 yr microbiology

now its a post cycled, running reef.

In the history of reef tank cycling, not one cycler ever had true low level sustained ammonia or nitrite past day 30 even though four million posts state certainly they do.

 

[KJAhp098]

Thanks, everyone. Appreciate your replies.

Here's a pic if anyone is interested.

 

[Adventures In Reefing]

You have a lot going on for a brand new tank. In my opinion your tests cant be right.

and

 

[brandon429]

right now a discerning reader(s) is thinking:



WHAT if they inputted accidentally twice the recommended dose of dr tims ammonia, then the bac are dead or slowed somehow, therefore, they may not be cycled.

that still doesn't occur



what will occur is a bunch of messy noncompliant testing of wastewater. but, if you drain that reef and refill with new water, then ammonia oxidation test it, it still passes.
it takes bathroom cleaner level amounts to become a true disinfectant. anything shy of that is hyperfeeding. I'm aware of the directions on the bottle that mention affecting bac at 5 ppm nitrite etc, all it means is your will take the whole 30 days to cycle vs being done in 5.

in the end, what google cycling charts claim is what always happens.

the bioslicks up under all the wastewater still developed even if we just approximate the ammonia levels and bac levels.