I'm a little confused...

WV Reef · Oct 10, 2020

I am currently cycling my tank. Fishless. I have had a zero ammonia level for more than a week now. 2 days ago I finally got a zero nitrite level. I checked it twice just to make sure and both times zero. Yesterday evening I tested again and I have nitrites again. Its back up to 2.0 ppm. Why would this happen? Is there anything I can do, or do I just need to keep waiting?

sawdonkey · Oct 10, 2020

When you say “fish less” do you mean with bottled bacteria? You have to introduce bacteria i one way or another.

TriggerFinger · Oct 10, 2020

It could be a testing error? Have you checked today? What kit are you using?

WV Reef · Oct 10, 2020

sawdonkey said:
When you say “fish less” do you mean with bottled bacteria? You have to introduce bacteria i one way or another.

Yes. I put a bottle of dr tims one and only in it when I started it up, and I've been adding ammonia every day.

WV Reef · Oct 10, 2020

TriggerFinger said:
It could be a testing error? Have you checked today? What kit are you using?

I have checked. Its still 2.0 ppm. I'm using an api saltwater master kit.

Bleigh · Oct 10, 2020

Sometimes the bacterial blooms have fluctuations. That’s why it takes a little while to become stable. Have you done anything else? Water changes, sand vacuuming, cleaning?

Tiki Reef Joshua · Oct 10, 2020

You are cycled. Throw a fish in there.

WV Reef · Oct 10, 2020

Bleigh said:
Sometimes the bacterial blooms have fluctuations. That’s why it takes a little while to become stable. Have yo done anything else? Watch changes, sand vacuuming, cleaning?

Nothing. I was gonna do a big water change this morning because my nitrates are really high too. The I was going to go get me a couple clownfish, but I'm not getting the fish now.

Bleigh · Oct 10, 2020

WV Reef said:
Nothing. I was gonna do a big water change this morning because my nitrates are really high too. The I was going to go get me a couple clownfish, but I'm not getting the fish now.

How high? I’d do the water change without vacuuming sand this time, so you don’t disturb the bacteria colonies. Then do another test. If the numbers are decent, Clowns should be good to add. Just keep a closer eye on the levels for a few days after you add them. And be prepared to do a water change if you need to in a pinch.

WV Reef · Oct 10, 2020

Tiki Reef Joshua said:
You are cycled. Throw a fish in there.

I'm too scared. I dont want to put the fish in there for them to just die.

WVNed · Oct 10, 2020

Your test kit will read a huge amount of nitrates if you have nitrites.

When I start a tank I use 2-3 different brands of bacteria in the beginning.

WV Reef · Oct 10, 2020

Bleigh said:
How high? I’d do the water change without vacuuming sand this time, so you don’t disturb the bacteria colonies. Then do another test. If the numbers are decent, Clowns should be good to add. Just keep a closer eye on the levels for a few days after you add them. And be prepared to do a water change if you need to in a pinch.

2.0 ppm. Ok. Thats what I'll do. I was so excited to be able to add my 1st fish. Then so bummed that my levels went back up.

KrisReef · Oct 10, 2020

WV Reef said:
I'm too scared. I dont want to put the fish in there for them to just die.

Post a pic of your scary-fishless cycled tank after you add the new fish!

WVNed · Oct 10, 2020

If you do this some of your stuff will die. It is unavoidable. There is a learning curve.

WV Reef · Oct 10, 2020

KrisReef said:
Post a pic of your scary-fishless cycled tank after you add the new fish!

Haha I will.

OREGONIC · Oct 10, 2020

What type of rock did you start with?

ScubaFish802 · Oct 10, 2020

Bleigh said:
Sometimes the bacterial blooms have fluctuations. That’s why it takes a little while to become stable. Have you done anything else? Water changes, sand vacuuming, cleaning?

Agreed, I saw your post yesterday or maybe the day before and I personally think you were fully cycled then as well. I still recommend doing a -Large- water change to bring down the nitrates (I think last level mentioned was 120ppm?). Large water change and I agree you’re good to go

WV Reef · Oct 10, 2020

802ScubaFish said:
Agreed, I saw your post yesterday or maybe the day before and I personally think you were fully cycled then as well. I still recommend doing a -Large- water change to bring down the nitrates (I think last level mentioned was 120ppm?). Large water change and I agree you’re good to go

Thank you. I'm doing the water change now.