So I started my tank cycle about 5 weeks ago at the time I had a custom Aquascape that hadn’t arrived so all I had was a sand bed not live 1kg of dry rock and some marine pure in the sump. I used dr Tim’s ammonia and one and only it took about 2 weeks for ammonia to drop to 0 where it’s remained nitrites are at 1 highest Red Sea test kit goes and nitrates at 50 also the highest Red Sea test kit goes. I’ve now had my Aquascape in the tank about a week as there’s now more surface area for bacteria 2 days ago I bought 4oz of fritzzyme 900 which I added to the tank I’ve checked again and no change nitrite still at one and nitrate at 50. I know it says fritzzyme can take 5 days to cycle but there’s hasn’t even been a slight drop in 2 days I’m in no rush just wanted to make sure I’m in the right track as on Monday it will be the 6th week of cycle. the tank is empty no live stock at all. Turned skimmer and removed filter socks for 5 days when doased bacteria.
Nitrites won’t drop!!
- Thread starter Sam22
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Dont stress to much, i was exactly where you were last week. Started with dry everything and added a bottle of bac and my nitrites were not going down, they probably showed up for at least 3 weeks before they went to zero. So it took my tank about 6-7 weeks to fully cycle. All you can do is wait them out they will drop trust me
Cheers! I’ll keep waiting them out I knew it was going to be a slow process with dry everything and also starting the cycle with out any rock in the dt but wanted the ceramic Aquascape. Just wanted to make sure I was still on the right track it’s my first tank all tho I have been researching and learning as much as I can for over a year before I got my set up
dyno
Active Member
Go get a couple hermit crabs and snails/ and or a fish. Order Sea Chem Prime on Amazon and use it while to Nitrite disappears. Don’t worry they will not die, keep replacement water at 10-20% of tank volume ready if you need to do a water change. I could not of been patient 6 weeks, props!
I haven’t done a water change yet I was just waiting for nature to take it’s course would you advise a 10/20% water change? The virus has helped with patients as the only Lfs near where I live isn’t selling any life stock I did speak to the the other day and they are willing to sell snails and hermits. I may pick a few up today I know they have seachem prime there to.
Your doing well. Prime is for Ammonia
Nitrite is not harmful to marine life and will lower eventually.
Nitrates, a water change will lower them. If you have Nitrates, your tank is cycled.
Now get ready for Diatoms!
Nitrite is not harmful to marine life and will lower eventually.
Nitrates, a water change will lower them. If you have Nitrates, your tank is cycled.
Now get ready for Diatoms!
Ye I have high nitrates atm I was holding off doing a water change until my nitrites drop to 0. Then was going to do a large water change. It would be nice to add a bit of life to the tank like one fish or a cuc but I also don’t mind waiting
canadianeh
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My cycling data is also driving me crazy and not making sense. I am recording the data and check them out here on my build thread
My ammonia since day #1 shows between 0.25-0.5. It never went up higher than that. Then after 2 weeks I bought a brand new ammonia and after I dosed it I was able to get reading 1.5 ppm. So I realized it must have been my old ammonia that lost its magic. So after I dosed 1.5 ppm, two days later, it is still showing 1.5 ppm. After 2 weeks my tank can't deplete 1.5 ppm yet? But I see my Nitrite and Nitrate going up and down together. Btw, I am using caribsea purple liferock and Dr tims products, live sand and dry sand mix, and marinepure balls. I too have no fish in the tank until now and probably won't until weeks later. I don't mount any lights yet to minimize any ugliness.
My ammonia since day #1 shows between 0.25-0.5. It never went up higher than that. Then after 2 weeks I bought a brand new ammonia and after I dosed it I was able to get reading 1.5 ppm. So I realized it must have been my old ammonia that lost its magic. So after I dosed 1.5 ppm, two days later, it is still showing 1.5 ppm. After 2 weeks my tank can't deplete 1.5 ppm yet? But I see my Nitrite and Nitrate going up and down together. Btw, I am using caribsea purple liferock and Dr tims products, live sand and dry sand mix, and marinepure balls. I too have no fish in the tank until now and probably won't until weeks later. I don't mount any lights yet to minimize any ugliness.
