Cycling trouble

Napoliandy · May 7, 2023

Hi
I’m having some trouble cycling my new tank this time around. As always I’ve used dr. Tim’s and things were going along nicely. Numbers were going down as they should. Two days ago I threw in a block from my present tank to help with the establishing of the new tank. My nitrates in my present tank have always been high, but never posed an issue. Everybody has always been happy. It’s a 75 gallon with nitrate of 32.
this morning I checked the new tank and the nitrates were at 75. Two days ago they were 20. A friend of mine says that because I didn’t wash the sand that that is why I’m getting high nitrates. I have to admit that there was residue from the sand in the sump and overflow box, so he told me to do a major water change and siphone as much of the sand as I could. I also cleaned the overflow and the sump as best I could.
I changed about 35 gallons of water and I am still getting a reading of 73.5. What is going on. I didn’t have this issue the last time. I was so looking forward to doing my transfer soon. I used special grade sand the last time as well and didn’t have this happen. Please help. I am confused as to what is happening.
Could it be the block from my old tank or is it truly the sand?

furface · May 7, 2023

I don’t know if it is this but BRIGHTWELL microbactor Start says if you use live sand live rock etc it interferes with the process as it fights with the new bacteria and thus makes the cycling take much much longer, just a thought

Garf · May 7, 2023

Napoliandy said:
Hi
I’m having some trouble cycling my new tank this time around. As always I’ve used dr. Tim’s and things were going along nicely. Numbers were going down as they should. Two days ago I threw in a block from my present tank to help with the establishing of the new tank. My nitrates in my present tank have always been high, but never posed an issue. Everybody has always been happy. It’s a 75 gallon with nitrate of 32.
this morning I checked the new tank and the nitrates were at 75. Two days ago they were 20. A friend of mine says that because I didn’t wash the sand that that is why I’m getting high nitrates. I have to admit that there was residue from the sand in the sump and overflow box, so he told me to do a major water change and siphone as much of the sand as I could. I also cleaned the overflow and the sump as best I could.
I changed about 35 gallons of water and I am still getting a reading of 73.5. What is going on. I didn’t have this issue the last time. I was so looking forward to doing my transfer soon. I used special grade sand the last time as well and didn’t have this happen. Please help. I am confused as to what is happening.
Could it be the block from my old tank or is it truly the sand?

If you have detectable nitrite it will be messing with your nitrate test.

furface · May 10, 2023

Garf said:
If you have detectable nitrite it will be messing with your nitrate test.

I’m not sure that’s right mate. Please explain ?

Troylee · May 10, 2023

furface said:
I’m not sure that’s right mate. Please explain ?

Nitrite gives you a false nitrate reading. It’s part of the cycle… ammonia~nitrite~nitrate

furface · May 10, 2023

Troylee said:
Nitrite gives you a false nitrate reading. It’s part of the cycle… ammonia~nitrite~nitrate

Hiya, thanks for the response but just saying it’s part of the cycle doesn’t explain Why Nitrite gives a false Nitrate reading.

the cycle where nitrosomonas turn the Amonia into Nitrite tne Nitribactors turn Nitrite into Nitrate. Please explain how it gives a false reading ? Is it just something you read ?

Cell · May 10, 2023

Our hobby nitrate kits break down nitrate into nitrite to measure. If there is already nitrite present, it will inflate the results of the nitrate test.

furface · May 10, 2023

Cell said:
Our hobby nitrate kits break down nitrate into nitrite to measure.

Eh ?

furface · May 10, 2023

Cell said:
Our hobby nitrate kits break down nitrate into nitrite to measure. If there is already nitrite present, it will inflate the results of the nitrate test.

Mate I’m really confused so our kits turn nitrate back into nitrite ?

blecki · May 10, 2023

I don't know if that's how the tests work and I'm not a chemist, but seachem does say

"A: If you are getting a pronounced nitrite reading, it is not possible to get an accurate nitrate reading, since the nitrite reading will interfere. You should be able to make a very approximate assessment of nitrate, since the nitrate color will be additive to the nitrite color."

Seachem - MultiTest: Nitrite & Nitrate

www.seachem.com

So it's a good idea to test your nitrite. IME it's never really detectable during the cycle but - why not rule that out?

The_Paradox · May 10, 2023

May not apply to you but every API nitrate test I had fail on me always read 0 or 80. What test are you using?

Cell · May 10, 2023

How Nitrate Test Kits Work: The Science Behind the Test!

https://mdshop.us/WaterTesting There are many water quality parameters that can be measured with a test kit, but nitrate seems to be the most talked about. Weâ€™re going to explore the science behind nitrate testing and how to properly perform nitrate testing at home. Watch our latest videos...

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