Nitrites too high?

[justkeepswimming]

I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not...my cycling tank (no fish) has passed the ammonia spike but still has little traces of ammonia. My nitrites, on the other hand, have reached the reading of 5.0 ppm. I haven't heard of nitrites getting this high; the tank has been running for about 3 weeks and the nitrites have been at 5.0 ppm for about a week or so. I'm waiting for them to go down but just wondering if that is normal or not because i don't know anyone to ask who is experienced in water cycling. Am i just being paranoid?

[RobbieG]

The nitrites will probably stay high for a bit longer than the ammonia did then they will drop quickly. After that you just do a PWC to get the nitrates down and you woll be done.

[justkeepswimming]

alright cool, thanks robbie!

[Kuli_Loach]

Yea, took mine about a week and a half to get down. Now my dang nitrates are getting high. I need to slow down on feeding.:c3:

[justkeepswimming]

it's been another week and the nitrites are still the same reading.. should i do a PWC? if so, how much..

[elmer]

Try adding some Seachem Stability to restore the right balance of the different kinds of bacteria.

[hungryhound]

it's been another week and the nitrites are still the same reading.. should i do a PWC? if so, how much..

if you are doing fishless cycling. I would leave it. The only reason to do a water change during cycling is to protect the fish.


What is your temperature at. Bacterial growth is much greater at higher temps. I would kick your temp up to 80 to 83 if you have not done so by now. this should speed things up. just remember to lower it before you put fish in.

[RobbieG]

I agree with Hungry Hound theres no reason to mess with the water with no fish in it - in most cases the nitrites stay high for a while - then drop like a rock - you should be almost there!