Fast Cycle? (Nitrite .25 ppm on day 4!)

[AbnormalReefer]

Hey all, I was wondering how this is possible that my tank appears to be cycling so remarkably fast.

I’ve used all dead rock and am going bare bottom. Yesterday I tested nitrite at .25 ppm. I then added some media from my already cycled 55 gallon. Then today I added a piece of LR from the LFS and tested at .25 ppm again! I used RODI water while setting up the tank.

Here are the parameters I’ve tested so far-

SG - 1.026
Calcium - 500 (always mixes high)
kH - 8
Ammonia - ~.75 ppm
Nitrite - .25 ppm
Nitrate - 0

Currently the only livestock in the tank are some hermit crabs and snails that hitchhiked on the piece of LR. I will be getting more LR from my buddy on Monday or so, in hopes to create more diverse bacterial populations. I was considering adding Dr. Tim’s, but it seems unnecessary at the moment.... What do you guys think?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Wait till you have zero ammoina.

Yea, with the media and others bacteria seeding , it’s definitely starting up.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Update -

Today ammonia is around .75-1 ppm however there is about .5 ppm nitrite. That must mean that there is still decay going around with the rocks and other organic matter. I am still however amazed as to how fast the bacterial population appears to be spreading. At this rate seeding the colony with bottled bacteria doesn’t seem like a necessity anymore!

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Update -

Today ammonia is around .75-1 ppm however there is about .5 ppm nitrite. That must mean that there is still decay going around with the rocks and other organic matter. I am still however amazed as to how fast the bacterial population appears to be spreading. At this rate seeding the colony with bottled bacteria doesn’t seem like a necessity anymore!

To me, it looks like you are still in the early stages of the cycle. Once your ammonia is 0 ppm, your nitrites will spike. If you are using LR with dead rock, just let the tank sit for 30 days and you should be ready for fish.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

To me, it looks like you are still in the early stages of the cycle. Once your ammonia is 0 ppm, your nitrites will spike. If you are using LR with dead rock, just let the tank sit for 30 days and you should be ready for fish.

Yes, day #5 as a matter of fact. I was just put off by the nitrite this early in the cycle. I don’t intend on getting any fish until ammonia and nitrite are zero though. Just wanted to clear that up.