Day 17 water test....am i ready for fish?

[Reefrookie733]

Sad part is my nitrites seem really high but i cant tell. Others haven't been too alarmed with this.

Just did a 15-20% water change yesterday.

Doing fishless cycling with ammonia chloride and Dr. Tim's one and only 17 days ago

Am i close to being cycled?

Thanks

 

[SeaJay]

I put fish in as soon as the water is in.

 

[MikeRizz88]

I would wait a few more weeks. Keep up with testing is key. Than once nitrites lower you will see spike in nitrates. Keep regular water changes weekly to lower. Keep testing once you read 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and low nitrates you will b ready for fish. I cycle with dr Tim’s and fishless the same as your doing. Good luck! Patience is key

 

[LordJoshaeus]

I am no expert, but I too would wait...nitrites are very toxic to fish and invertebrates. When all the nitrites have been replaced with nitrates you might be able to add a hardy fish, but I would personally wait a few weeks longer for the nitrifying bacteria to get more thoroughly established, as ammonia that is not almost immediately oxidized to nitrate will cause algae problems even if it does not reach levels sufficient to harm the fish or register on many test kits.

 

[splitting_lanes]

You’re in the last third of the cycle now. Hang tight, wait for nitrites to hit 0. They will.

 

[Reefrookie733]

You’re in the last third of the cycle now. Hang tight, wait for nitrites to hit 0. They will.

Should I do another water change in another week or so or wait for the nitrites to drop to zero first??

 

[splitting_lanes]

Should I do another water change in another week or so or wait for the nitrites to drop to zero first??

I wouldn’t change the water. It won’t hurt anything, except your wallet. You should be ready to add fish/crew soon. After you add fish, then start doing your regular water changes.

 

[splitting_lanes]

Should I do another water change in another week or so or wait for the nitrites to drop to zero first??

Yes, wait until after nitrites drop to zero

 

[Reefrookie733]

Yes, wait until after nitrites drop to zero

If my ammonia goes down to ZERO (it was about 5PPM and now is about .2 PPM)should i add any more or just let nitrites work their way down to ZERO? ?

 

[LordJoshaeus]

If the tank has no ammonia coming in whatsoever, the nitrifying bacteria will sooner or later starve to death. Me thinks you will need an ammonia source of some kind.

 

[SeaJay]

If the tank has no ammonia coming in whatsoever, the nitrifying bacteria will sooner or later starve to death. Me thinks you will need an ammonia source of some kind.

Yes, a really good source is a fish. Many, many people use a hardy fish to cycle their tanks. Just like most of us do with our QTs.

 

[Bryn]

You said:

Doing fishless cycling with ammonia chloride and Dr. Tim's one and only 17 days ago

Need to follow these instructions from the Dr. Tim's website.

Fishless Cycling | DrTim's Aquatics

The term "fishless cycling" refers to the process of establishing the nitrifying bacteria in a newly set-up aquarium without using fish which are used in the traditional cycling method. The problem associated with using fish in the cycling period is that normally, when establishing the...

www.drtimsaquatics.com

You most likely over applied ammonia and stalled the cycle, the same can happen when Nitrites get too high. Follow the instructions and patience will get you there. Once ammonia and Nitrites hit about 0.5 you are close to the end of the cycle.

 

[Yellow17165161]

I’ve read that nitrites are not (as) toxic in saltwater aquariums. Also read that the bacteria can’t starve, they will just adjust to the lower ammonia levels.