Water Changes During Cycle

[Letterkenny]

A lot of people including me when they do a fishless cycle don't even bother testing nitrates until the cycle is done. A few reasons, one is that without fish, nitrates aren't going to harm anything except feed algae and that can be battled fairly easily and two is for this reason. You see the high numbers and kinda freak out which is normal. A third reason is that the results aren't very accurate during a cycle, especially using API test kits. Just get through your cycle, change 90 % of the water in one go and then test your nitrates. If they are still high, wait two days, and do 50% changes every two days till the Nitrate reading is what you want. You should be cycled soon with those readings. Say another week, maybe two.

I’ve taken that approach with the nitrates and haven’t been checking them. Just been watching the nitrites as my ammonia is processed to 0 fairly quickly.

 

[BeejReef]

You're getting great advise.

I see no reason to do water changes bc you're still actively "polluting" the tank with ammonia. Also, you want that nitrIte to stay in the tank to build up the nitrIte eating population. Diluting it just sets you back. Nitrate + Phosphate + Light does equal algae, but you can turn the sun off until your cycle is complete and you've gotten your levels where you want them.

Also, a nice nitrate/phosphate post cycle soup is a great way to really turbo charge a refugium, if you're planning on going that route.

Your LFS isn't "wrong." There are many ways to skin a cat. Find some voices you trust that have a track record and try to stay consistent. Easy to have too many chefs in the kitchen.

 

[Letterkenny]

Looks like no movement in nitrites again at 2ppm (per the wife’s eyes - I can’t tell the difference between 2 and 5). Seems odd that I haven’t seen movement. On 10/2 PM I dosed ammonia at 2ppm and on 10/3 am ammonia is 1ppm and nitrite was at 5ppm+ (max per API). On 10/4 the ammonia is 0 and nitrite was 2ppm. No change seen since 10/4 in nitrites.

 

[stanleo]

Looks like no movement in nitrites again at 2ppm (per the wife’s eyes - I can’t tell the difference between 2 and 5). Seems odd that I haven’t seen movement. On 10/2 PM I dosed ammonia at 2ppm and on 10/3 am ammonia is 1ppm and nitrite was at 5ppm+ (max per API). On 10/4 the ammonia is 0 and nitrite was 2ppm. No change seen since 10/4 in nitrites.

So it sounds like your nitrite is going down. Do a dose of ammonia and test in two days for ammonia and nitrite. You have nitrite in the tank so there is nitrobactor in the tank eating it and multiplying, it just takes time. Frustrating I know, but you are getting there.

 

[Letterkenny]

Another day and still no movement. Ammonia of 0 and 2ppm of Nitrite. Does it make sense that the nitrites haven’t changed once in ~5 days?

 

[Letterkenny]

Just dosed up to 1ppm on the ammonia since it’s been a while since they last got a feeding. If I don’t see any progress here soon, I might try the Fritz Turbostart on the tank. Just wish there was a local vender but the closest one to me is 250 miles so online order it will be.

 

[brandon429]

you do not have to do that. all you have to do is wait until day 30 in the current status, change all the water, and you are cycled.

sounds too easy I know but see the microbiology of cycling thread for explanation. your tank is cycling fine.

The part in the thread about nitrite not needing to be tested w help you close this cycle. we explain mis testing, cross testing errors for nitrite, and all kinds of details but for your tank its cycling fine since ammonia is the only measure we use in 2019 cycling.

*nitrite will perform as every cycling chart online shows it performs at day 25 once we do the final water change at the end of the 30 days. at that point, nitrite will link with ammonia and be zero when a nominal bioload is present. we debate the ability to measure nitrite correctly, not that it doesnt apply. we can skip caring about it, though.

 

[rpkneumann]

I used Dr. Tim’s fishless method too.
I’m on day 13 and had the same experience as you.
Using Salifert NH3,NO2 and NH3. After day 8 I went to two LFS to verify my readings.. Looks like my nitrite readings were factors 10 off.
Nitrate as expected where through the roof.
Now ammonia gets digested good. Did a 40% waterchange , will do another tomorrow.

Check out my build blog with the data matrix. I update it every day.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/texascube32.752836/

 

[brandon429]

your tank is cycled too, can begin. Nitrite has zero bearing in reef cycling in both 2019 and 2020

only nh3 free ammonia control which you can demo matters. they charge us nicely for this bottle bac so that we arent waiting a month like normal, thats how we know your tank is ready.

nitrite cannot hurt fish, shrimp, corals, or the cycle in any way, though we are commonly told it will (which causes us to purchase more bottle bacteria in a $$ loop)

your tank has its filter bac attached to rock and sand, and if you changed water and tested this will happen (although you dont have to do this, you are done, its just a proofing mechanism if wanted)

100% Water Change

So in my previous thread, I had an ammonia issue that was out of hand. As suggested, I did a 100% WC and now i’m wondering when I should start adding fish back. If anyone has suggestions, let me know!

www.reef2reef.com