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Posts: 60
From: WI USA
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posted 12-01-2003 05:01 PM         

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I am still waiting for my nitrites to spike...why is it taking so long? Anyhow, I've noticed about an inch to and inch and a half of evaporation in the tank. Should I just leave it or add water to it...I'm sure if I do add water it will prolong the cycle phase. My concern is not knowing how long the cycling will take and what if too much water leaves? The tank was set up on 10-9. Some of you know my story. Thanks!

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posted 12-01-2003 06:25 PM         

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my levels are as follows: ammonia 3.0 ppm
nitrites 0.5 ppm
nitrates 30 ppm
would I be getting a nitrate reading if my tank has not cycled? (pH of 7.8 KH 80ppm)

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posted 12-01-2003 09:25 PM         

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According to your readings your tank has cycled. For future reference; you can add water to replace for evaporation while the tank is going through the cycle without any problem as long as you don't disturb the bacterial bed and use chlorine/chloramine remover.

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posted 12-02-2003 05:58 PM         

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I'm glad you replied kc! I was hoping you'd see this. Why is my ammonia so high? And I have tested my nitrites from the get go and they never spiked. Now today when I tested my ammonia was between 2.0-3.0 ppm and my nitrites went up a point or 2. ? I'm wondering if it isn't still cycling. Hmmmm.

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posted 12-02-2003 08:11 PM         

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has it cycled? My ammonia level dropped a point today and my nitrite level went up. Some have told me that it isn't cycled until my ammonia and nitrite levels read 0. ?

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posted 12-03-2003 04:17 PM         

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kc....are you sure my tank has cycled? The ammonia level has now gone down a point and the nitrite level has gone up a point. I've been told that it isn't cycled until the ammonia and nitrite levels are a 0. I did add replacement water today but am holding out on a water change to monitor those levels.

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posted 12-04-2003 12:39 AM         

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Hi concerned, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. We got a new Chihuahua puppy and am on a 3 hour feeding schedule with no sleep. The fact that you have nitrAtes in the tank tells you that it has completed the INITIAL cycle (6-8 week process). You have to remember that the cycle is an ongoing process. Fish give off waste (ammonia), bacteria converts ammonia to nitrites, secondary bacteria converts nitrites to nitrates. By cleaning the gravel and doing partial water changes you are keeping the amount of ammonia, nitrites (bacteria), and nitrAtes (secondary bacteria) balanced. Again, the fact that you have a nitrAte reading shows that you have secondary bacterial development which completes the initial cycle phase. When you get too much ammonia after it has gone through the initial cycle that is the beginning of what is referred to as bacterial overload. Now the tank has to develop more bacteria to convert the overabundance of ammonia. You can also have the same effect by removing several fish at one time. This is a true bacterial overload because now you have more bacteria and not enough ammonia (bacteria food) to feed the bacteria. It is possible on your initial cycle for you not to see the nitrItes spike because it occured so quickly. It doesn't normally happen, but it does happen that the nitrite spikes in less than 24 hours. I had that occur on a 30 gallon Marine tank. The ammonia took 5 weeks to spike and the nitrites spiked in 10 hours. The fact that you had an ammonia count and a nitrAte count just indicates that you needed to do a water change. Remember, NITRATE count is the final phase of the initial cycle. Hopefully I've made this clearer than mud.

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posted 12-04-2003 05:41 PM         

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Hi kc! How exciting...a new puppy!!!
I did a reading again today and the nitrite level is definately spiking...it's up another point again. Should I wait to do a water change until it has dropped and nitrate peak? What do you suggest? How often should you test the water on an established tank? When can I add more fish...after this cycle is finished?

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posted 12-04-2003 07:37 PM         

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Hello concerned, The nitrItes aren't spiking the bacteria is just building up enough to handle the amount of ammonia (waste) going into the tank. The only way the tank would be going through the initial cycle is if you are getting a false nitrAte reading from reagents that have gone bad. Also nitrAtes come at the end of the cycle. They are an end product. NitrAtes don't peak. They just continue to climb. If you still think that it's going through it's initial cycle I wouldn't do a water change until you are convinced it has cycled. Once you are convinced it has gone through it's cycle you can add fish. Considering the problems you've had you might want to only add a couple of fish at a time.

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posted 12-06-2003 12:04 PM         

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Thanks kc! I've got a ton of brown algae so am planning on getting 2 Ottos when the cycle is done!

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posted 12-07-2003 04:08 PM         

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use cycle or other bactera products that will help

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posted 12-07-2003 04:10 PM         

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ps i hope this helps

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posted 12-08-2003 06:52 AM         

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Hi concerned,

I believe I may have posted the reply which said the cycle is done when ammonia and nitrite is 0. That a bit of oversimplification for which I apologise. What's more accurate is that when the tank's ammonia production by fish etc. vs. ammonia consumption by bacteria is balanced levels should be very low (similarly with nitrites). Any changes to the tank (fish addition, etc) will alter levels and a new balance will have to develop. It sounds like the ammonia is dropping, the nitrite should begin to drop eventually as well. In a common aquarium set-up there isn't a way to remove nitrates except through regular water changes. Congrats on the puppy kc, I've actually been gone the last week and a half because I got married!

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posted 12-08-2003 02:38 PM         

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Congratulations on your marriage katanas_edge.

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posted 12-09-2003 04:45 PM         

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Thanks everyone for all your great advice! Congratulations on your marriage...I've been married for 11 years now. My ammonia continues to drop and my nitrites are at 10 ppm so they are definately spiked out...it's just a waiting game now. It's sure is fun learning about!

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