Nitrate and water change

[vincephuket]

Hello community,

I am at day 7 of cycling my 30g Nano, used Dr Tim one and only and ammonium chloride, dosed twice. Nitrites and ammonia are at zero, Nitrates up at 25 ppm.

I have dry rocks and live sand (tested the sand for two days before adding ammonium and nitrates always at zero).

Now 2 questions:

- should I perform a water change (25%) immediately? I consider the cycle done due to the nitrate spike.

- does the ammonium chloride really cause such a spike? Dosed correctly, ammonia never went higher than 1.5 ppm


Thanks

 

[Nanojoe]

Do a water change, the fact you are showing nitrates means you have established a cycle. Water change and add a different form of nutrients for your bacteria. I.e ghost feeding or a hardy fish like a clown(if you are showing 0 ammonia). If that was part of your livestock list of course.
Letting those nitrates and any early present phosphates build up are early algae starters!