First cycle - Ammonia is great, Nitrites off the charts

[Eclyps19]

Hi all - first tank here. 30g Nuvo Fusion.

I started the cycling on 1/1/2019 with a frozen shrimp and a bottle of Dr. Tim’s bacteria. I removed the shrimp after 4 days. The next day I got my ammonia spike to about 4 ppm, stayed there for a few days, and then returned to 0. My Nitrites spiked to higher than my API test kit can read on 1/8 and has been there ever since. My Nitrates were reading 80+ so I know that my nitrites have been converting, but I’m worried about how high the nitrites might actually be (since I can only tell that they are above 5 ppm).

On 1/15 I dosed my ammonia to 3 ppm and 24h later my ammonia was reduced to 0, so I’m positive that bacteria is well established.

Two questions:
1) Should I do a partial water change to bring them to a readable level and continue to monitor from there?

2) if this nitrite step is taking a long time, do I need to feed my ammonia-eating bacteria in the mean time, or should I stop dosing ammonia all together until my nitrites drop?

Thanks!!

 

[EmdeReef]

Welcome to R2R and congrats on your new tank!

What you are describing sounds perfectly normal for the cycle. Your nitrites will soon be dropping to low or undetectable levels and then you can consider the cycle finished. FWIW nitrites in saltwater are generally not toxic unless they reach extremely high concentrations so no worries.

During this time I wouldn’t do water changes but you may add a source of ammonia. Once you have undetectable ammonia and nitrites I would “stress test” the system by adding a bit of ammonia in the evening and testing again in the morning.

#reefsquad

 

[brandon429]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-microbiology-of-reef-tank-cycling.214618/

That will simplify your cycle greatly. Nitrite doesn't factor into the cycle for reasons linked. Ammonia + number of days underwater matters, only those two, and ammonia levels don't matter, just that some is present if you want to cycle quickly.

Since you added bottle bac, all you have to do is wait a couple weeks, change out the water, and begin lightly. Future testing isn't even required, as the factors that begin and sustain a cycle are already in place and can't fail to cycle in two weeks.

While it's cycling, be hand guiding out any new early invaders like diatoms or cyano, light guiding water changes aren't harmful if it's to guide out early invaders, if applicable. They do not degrade your cycle, nothing done partial ever degrades a running cycle.

It'll be ready sooner than two more weeks, but that's a handy timeframe if you have it because it always works by then in the arrangements you have

 

[Brew12]

Hi all - first tank here. 30g Nuvo Fusion.

I started the cycling on 1/1/2019 with a frozen shrimp and a bottle of Dr. Tim’s bacteria. I removed the shrimp after 4 days. The next day I got my ammonia spike to about 4 ppm, stayed there for a few days, and then returned to 0. My Nitrites spiked to higher than my API test kit can read on 1/8 and has been there ever since. My Nitrates were reading 80+ so I know that my nitrites have been converting, but I’m worried about how high the nitrites might actually be (since I can only tell that they are above 5 ppm).

On 1/15 I dosed my ammonia to 3 ppm and 24h later my ammonia was reduced to 0, so I’m positive that bacteria is well established.

Two questions:
1) Should I do a partial water change to bring them to a readable level and continue to monitor from there?

2) if this nitrite step is taking a long time, do I need to feed my ammonia-eating bacteria in the mean time, or should I stop dosing ammonia all together until my nitrites drop?

Thanks!!

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

What you are seeing isn't unusual. Don't read too much into your nitrate test. Nitrate tests work by converting nitrates to nitrites and then measuring. If you have nitrites in your system your nitrate test will read high.

I think a partial water change would be a good idea to help bring down the nitrites.

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R, looks like you are getting some great advice above

 

[Brew12]

As you noticed, there are many different opinions on how to cycle. The only wrong way is to rush through the process. If in doubt, you can always wait.

 

[Eclyps19]

You guys rock. I appreciate all the comments! Since my ammonia is doing great and processing quickly, I’ll just do a small WC to keep things fresh and then give it a little more time to wrap up.

 

[Fishie718]

You guys rock. I appreciate all the comments! Since my ammonia is doing great and processing quickly, I’ll just do a small WC to keep things fresh and then give it a little more time to wrap up.

I'm having the same problem now. I'm wondering what ever happened with yours?

 

[Eclyps19]

I switched to a different test kit brand (Salifert). My API kit was just crazy inaccurate.

 

[7237689918]

I'm in the middle of my first cycle as well and saw the exact same thing on Nitrites. Kind of quit testing for a it a few days ago as I didn't want to worry about it. Just adding some ammonia every 3 days or so. The ammonia levels drop down some (not all the way) daily so figured it was doing something!

 

[Fishie718]

I'm in the middle of my first cycle as well and saw the exact same thing on Nitrites. Kind of quit testing for a it a few days ago as I didn't want to worry about it. Just adding some ammonia every 3 days or so. The ammonia levels drop down some (not all the way) daily so figured it was doing something!

Oh your cycle still isn't done? How longs it been?

 

[Brew12]

I'm in the middle of my first cycle as well and saw the exact same thing on Nitrites. Kind of quit testing for a it a few days ago as I didn't want to worry about it. Just adding some ammonia every 3 days or so. The ammonia levels drop down some (not all the way) daily so figured it was doing something!

I'd stop adding ammonia if it is processing in 24 hours. In my opinion it will only slow things down and leave you with higher nitrates at the end.

 

[7237689918]

Hi Brew. It's only been 8 days. And I spent 3-4 of those trying to get silt out right after I had started. Ran a fine filter and other things so guessing I probably pulled some bacteria out soon after I had put it in (Fritz-Zyme). I'm using Dr. Tim's for the ammonia supplement.

 

[Brew12]

Hi Brew. It's only been 8 days. And I spent 3-4 of those trying to get silt out right after I had started. Ran a fine filter and other things so guessing I probably pulled some bacteria out soon after I had put it in (Fritz-Zyme). I'm using Dr. Tim's for the ammonia supplement.

Is your system processing the ammonia in 24 hours when you add it? If so, the ammonia has done it's job and any bacteria that were removed aren't having an impact. If the ammonia is taking over 24 hours to process then redosing every few days is fine.

 

[7237689918]

Yea, it is currently processing -- with a margin of error based on colors of the test result -- about 1/3 daily.

I was planning to keep adding ammonia until it processed 2ppm daily, and do that for 4-5 days. Then test Nitrates and a 20% water change. If that is wrong please let me know!

 

[Brew12]

Yea, it is currently processing -- with a margin of error based on colors of the test result -- about 1/3 daily.

I was planning to keep adding ammonia until it processed 2ppm daily, and do that for 4-5 days. Then test Nitrates and a 20% water change. If that is wrong please let me know!

Nothing wrong with that plan at all, although you might want to do a larger water change at the end depending on where your nitrates end up.

I like to minimize nitrates to try and avoid a water change at the end. Once the tank can process 2ppm in 24 hours one time I consider it good. If the tank is under 20ppm nitrate I won't do a water change. But again, that is just my preference.

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree with the others, this is normal. The bacteria that convert nitrate to gas are the slowest-working and the last to "show up to the party". You are well on your way and in good hands here!

 

[7237689918]

Nothing wrong with that plan at all, although you might want to do a larger water change at the end depending on where your nitrates end up.

I like to minimize nitrates to try and avoid a water change at the end. Once the tank can process 2ppm in 24 hours one time I consider it good. If the tank is under 20ppm nitrate I won't do a water change. But again, that is just my preference.

Thank you!