Why isn’t it cycled ??

Hilltopreef90 · Jan 4, 2022

I’m trying to get my quarantine tank set up, it’s been over a month I’m adding microbacter start as directed, the ammonia has been at zero for a few weeks yet I’m still showing high nitrites
I added some sand, a few rocks did a water change and I still keep getting a high nitrite reading.
I tested for nitrates and that also tested high.
Why do I still have nitrites and what is wrong?

Neon_Devil · Jan 4, 2022

What is your ammonia at? Elevated levels can prolong a cycle.

Cell · Jan 4, 2022

You are cycled. Nitrite is not harmful in saltwater so no worries there. If you want the dirty details, I present to you:

@brandon429

brandon429 · Jan 4, 2022

quarantines don't run low on bac given this wait, they may run low on surface area and where it sits in the flow of wastewater

did you use the same general amount of surface area in the display that successful reefs in the disease forum use? if so, your next challenge is assessing the cycle not using digital ammonia meters (and by factoring nitrite) who doesnt get a problem with those...

MN fish pointed out recently as a reminder from Randy's nitrite article that low salinity holding tanks/ some quarantines need to be nitrite compliant. that doesnt make api nitrite all of a sudden reliable, so if I was in doubt what I'd use to assess nitrite in a low salinity qt tank would be the # of days wait off a cycling chart, which is 25 ish.

nowadays we do not factor nitrite in display tank cycles or normal-salinity qt setups in any thread where timely start dates are reviewed.

brandon429 · Jan 4, 2022

check this qt example out

trouble at the start

Stalled Cycle?

20 gallon QT tank set up 30 days ago. I do not have a DT set up yet, just trying to get a jump on fish to add to my tank and make sure they're healthy and pest free right from the get go. Like I said tank was set up 30 days ago. Sponge filter and HOB filter running sponge and ceramic. Used...

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