Just need a few opinions-Cycling...

[Greguls]

So my Ammonia has spiked like crazy and is now Zero, but my Nitrites are now through the roof, I am starting to see Diatoms, and I am just curious how long it usually takes to make it through the Nitrite spike after the Ammonia drops. My Nitrate is also high but that I will take care of after the cycle is through with Nitrites. I also want to get my Chaetomorpha and my clean up crew started but I assume the right answer is to wait until Nitrates drop before adding ANY sort of life, even Macro's. Let me know if you have any info to help me out, thanks again in advance!

-Greg

 

[saltyhog]

It can be anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks in my limited experience. How high did your ammonia go? If you are seeing diatoms I bet it won't be more than a week till nitrite is back to zero.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

You can go ahead and add the chaeto or macros now. It will help to move things along since the macros will consume the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. It does not hinder the cycle.

 

[beaslbob]

IME with no food being added nitrItes will drop down in a few days. With feeding of fish they can peg the api test kit for weeks.

IMHO get the chaeto in there now or sooner.

my .02