Cycling question

[Jcraven]

I started cycle with nitrocycle , pns sauce and turbostart 900. Dosed to manufacturer recommendations. It has been 3 weeks into cycle. Ammonia spiked followed by nitrites then saw nitrates at approx. 4 days in. At week 2 nitrites were 4 plus . Read that high nitrites may stall cycle so i did a water change . Raised temp to 82 and dosed more nitrocycle to 2ppm. Currently ammonia is 0.15 , nitrites 1.0 and nitrates 50 plus. I was under the assumption these products together get a fairly quick cycle. Ive cycled with live rock and fish in . Trying this method to get a better start in my belief. Is this normal for these to take this long? 100int with 20 gallon sump. Special grade 90lbs and 90 lbs rock. Ive read many people state their cycle was done in a week to just over that using these products. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[mdb_talon]

Sounds like you are cycled enough and probably have been awhile. The nitrate readings may be thrown off by the nitrate. The nitrite is not going to hurt anything. Personally i would do a large WC and check ammonia. Some kits can show a small false positive and i think you should be just fine to slowly add fish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I started cycle with nitrocycle , pns sauce and turbostart 900. Dosed to manufacturer recommendations. It has been 3 weeks into cycle. Ammonia spiked followed by nitrites then saw nitrates at approx. 4 days in. At week 2 nitrites were 4 plus . Read that high nitrites may stall cycle so i did a water change . Raised temp to 82 and dosed more nitrocycle to 2ppm. Currently ammonia is 0.15 , nitrites 1.0 and nitrates 50 plus. I was under the assumption these products together get a fairly quick cycle.

Ammonia is the main one to focus on and the nitrates should slowly fall when a bioload is introduced such as feeding, fish waste , etc
What test kits are you using ?
API test kit is notorious for false readings and have let down many reefers hence the very low price for a master test kit. You will likely have inaccurate readings during the cycle process.
Ammonia badges have the same credibility as they are also intended for fresh water tanks ands also known for false readings.
Why is it called a cycle? Because the tank will go through three phases: ammonia will rise and fall, then nitrite will rise and fall even quicker, and lastly nitrate will rise and fall. Once Ammonia and Nitrite read 0 and Nitrate is less than 20ppm, the cycle is complete and livestock can gradually be introduced. The bacteria population will increase with the new bioload, processing waste and converting it to nitrate rapidly. However, it is important to note that overloading the aquarium with too many fish initially can exceed what the bacteria can handle. This is why it is best to add new fish slowly over the next few months. The bacterial levels will adapt if you don't overload the system with too many mouths to feed.
Test the aquarium daily for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, logging the information on graph paper or perhaps in a spreadsheet or app. The more data points you collect over time will graph the rise and fall of each of these parameters. No livestock of any kind should be placed in the aquarium as long as you have any measurable traces of ammonia or nitrite because these are toxic to fish and invertebrates. Start planning what you'll want to put in your aquarium while you have a few weeks to wait. There's no reason to rush this process. A good solid foundation will benefit your future reef and handle the bioload adequately.

 

[Jcraven]

Ammonia is the main one to focus on and the nitrates should slowly fall when a bioload is introduced such as feeding, fish waste , etc
What test kits are you using ?
API test kit is notorious for false readings and have let down many reefers hence the very low price for a master test kit. You will likely have inaccurate readings during the cycle process.
Ammonia badges have the same credibility as they are also intended for fresh water tanks ands also known for false readings.
Why is it called a cycle? Because the tank will go through three phases: ammonia will rise and fall, then nitrite will rise and fall even quicker, and lastly nitrate will rise and fall. Once Ammonia and Nitrite read 0 and Nitrate is less than 20ppm, the cycle is complete and livestock can gradually be introduced. The bacteria population will increase with the new bioload, processing waste and converting it to nitrate rapidly. However, it is important to note that overloading the aquarium with too many fish initially can exceed what the bacteria can handle. This is why it is best to add new fish slowly over the next few months. The bacterial levels will adapt if you don't overload the system with too many mouths to feed.
Test the aquarium daily for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, logging the information on graph paper or perhaps in a spreadsheet or app. The more data points you collect over time will graph the rise and fall of each of these parameters. No livestock of any kind should be placed in the aquarium as long as you have any measurable traces of ammonia or nitrite because these are toxic to fish and invertebrates. Start planning what you'll want to put in your aquarium while you have a few weeks to wait. There's no reason to rush this process. A good solid foundation will benefit your future reef and handle the bioload adequately.

I am using salifert kits . I literally just read another post where multiple people said nitrite has no effect and to just make sure ammonia goes to zero and if nitrates are present then cycle is complete. Contrary to what i thought via experience i did not think that was true. Just thought fishless with these products yielded pretty quick results. Products never said to add more ammonia to see if it falls in 24 hours. Wondering if i should do that to be sure.

 

[Mark Novack]

Nitrates at 50 in a few weeks of cycling? Reappearing toxic nitrogenous compounds (ammonia/nitrite)? No overdosing on those ammonia or almost ammonia products? Then that sounds like decay. You could put a rock in a bucket with heater and small pump with new water and see what happens in 24-48 hours with ammonia/nitrite.

I double dosed on the bacterial nutrients, basically a fast decay product that converts into ammonia in a day or two, and the end of my cycle it put my nitrates between 2 and 3.

If its chemistry related, then I have no clue.