NitrIte- Cycle question

[Masafi]

Hi Guys,

I've been posting some question in my other threads but i suspect because they are now 3 pages long the experts might not have read them -so

I am 6 days into my tank cycle.

My NitrItes are now reading 10 mg/l daily (morning and evening)

For 6 days I have been adding 60mil of ammonia and my ammonia is now hovering between 5-10 mg/l

As such, do I now back off the ammonia? i.e add 30mil a day?

And monitor it dailiy until each reads zero?

Thanks alot!

[xoolooxunny]

I think you're supposed to cut back now, and when you see the nitrites go to zero, then your cycle is complete. you can monitor this twice a day now to see when the nitrites drop off. turn the temp up on your aquarium into the 80's to speed up the bacteria growth.

[Masafi]

I think you're supposed to cut back now, and when you see the nitrites go to zero, then your cycle is complete. you can monitor this twice a day now to see when the nitrites drop off. turn the temp up on your aquarium into the 80's to speed up the bacteria growth.

OK, I am on a mission now!

tank temp is up....reading 85....

[Chrona]

Yes, cut to half dosage. Were you adding the same amount each day? It should have been the amount it took to get to 5 ppm on the first day.

[Masafi]

Yup, took 60mil to get to 5ppm, added that each day and tonight i will half it

[Chrona]

Yup, took 60mil to get to 5ppm, added that each day and tonight i will half it

kk, how big is the tank btw? Just curious.

[Masafi]

about 85-90g...when full!

Thought id get a big one to start as I read it was easier!

[TehTANK]

I too will be doing this very soon. I think I need to get some different test kits though....what does everyone use?

[xoolooxunny]

good judgment on starting large, Masafi! I use the API master test kit that does ammo, nitrite, nitrate, high & lo ph. i also have a bottle of strips by mardel that i use for nitrates, its accurate, ive compared it to the liquid test. I just pull one out if im in the mood to check the nitrates whenever, between a water change.

[Coler]

I think you're supposed to cut back now, and when you see the nitrites go to zero, then your cycle is complete. you can monitor this twice a day now to see when the nitrites drop off. turn the temp up on your aquarium into the 80's to speed up the bacteria growth.

no...

when you see ammonia and nitrite at 0, and some nitrates your cycle is complete.

don't think you're cycle is done when nitrites are 0. with a small tank especially you may never see nitrites.

mind you you have a large tank - but, before you can say the cylcle is complete you [I]must[I] see nitrates with 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite

[Chrona]

If you can see the ammonia spike, you should be able to see the nitrite spike (assuming daily testing). The nitrite spike lasts significantly longer than the ammonia spike, so it is easier to spot. Both parties are right, however, xooloo just happened to assume that 0 ammonia was a given. Under normal circumstances, when your nitrites hit zero, your ammonia should still be zero unless you dumped a lot more in all of the sudden.

[Masafi]

Thanks again,

Tested this morning for Nitrites and my little testube was "pink-pink" which shows that something is clearly happening.

I've read & read about this cycle but what still baffles me is that I keep adding ammonia daily, only half the amount now but if I keep adding ammonia then surely it will always register on the test.

Unless,

The theory is that you get your Nitrites to a certain level which shows bacteria presence and once they are high means bacteria are high. So when you half the amount the bacteria literally eat all the ammonia so quick that the ammonia registers 0. With all the munching going on then the NitrIte (which I understand to be bacteria waste) will of course be high...

I think my question is therefore, how does the ammonia and nitrites register 0 when we keep feeding them with ammonia daily?

Thanks!

[Chrona]

Thanks again,

Tested this morning for Nitrites and my little testube was "pink-pink" which shows that something is clearly happening.

I've read & read about this cycle but what still baffles me is that I keep adding ammonia daily, only half the amount now but if I keep adding ammonia then surely it will always register on the test.

Unless,

The theory is that you get your Nitrites to a certain level which shows bacteria presence and once they are high means bacteria are high. So when you half the amount the bacteria literally eat all the ammonia so quick that the ammonia registers 0. With all the munching going on then the NitrIte (which I understand to be bacteria waste) will of course be high...

I think my question is therefore, how does the ammonia and nitrites register 0 when we keep feeding them with ammonia daily?

Thanks!

Bacteria that eats nitrites will grow until equilibrium (0 ppm) is achieved.

[Masafi]

Perfect! Thanks will keep you posted