Ammonia going down but no nitrites?

**lettuceman44** · 01-27-2013, 08:09 PM

Hey guys, my ammonia level has been going down, but I have no nitrites? Is that normal? What would cause my ammonia to go down? Thanks.

It has been 9 days since the start of the cycle. I started out with 3 ppm ammonia, now its down to 1ppm or less, but I still have no nitrites.

**fishn00b** · 01-27-2013, 09:20 PM

I had the same thing happen in my tank that I am also currently cycling. Then roughly a day or two later the nitrites spiked up to like 5+ ppm. I am not sure what accounted for the delay but maybe you're experiencing the same thing? How many days has it been since the ammonia dropped?

**lettuceman44** · 01-27-2013, 09:40 PM

Day Ammonia
1 3
2 3
4 2
6 2
7 2
8 2
9 1

**Cermet** · 01-27-2013, 09:58 PM

Your ammonia level was started a little high and this can cause nitrite producing bacteria from starting as quick and can reduce their total number at first.

**lettuceman44** · 01-27-2013, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Cermet

Your ammonia level was started a little high and this can cause nitrite producing bacteria from starting as quick and can reduce their total number at first.

Yea I know I put too much in at first haha.

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-27-2013, 10:56 PM

Sometimes it takes a couple doses of ammonia before you see the nitrites. No need to start worrying about your cycle so soon into this. Add ammonia again when previous dose drops to 0. Soon, it will drop to 0 everyday.

**lettuceman44** · 01-27-2013, 11:47 PM

Thanks for the response!

I have a question. I bought a new filter(Ehiem classic 2215) to replace my HOB, but I had my HOB running while I started the cycle.

Since I have no bacteria yet, is it safe to change the filter? Or should I keep the HOB running with the Eheim?

**fishn00b** · 01-28-2013, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by lettuceman44

Thanks for the response!

I have a question. I bought a new filter(Ehiem classic 2215) to replace my HOB, but I had my HOB running while I started the cycle.

Since I have no bacteria yet, is it safe to change the filter? Or should I keep the HOB running with the Eheim?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but there are 2 types of bacteria, one to go from ammonia -> nitrite and another type to go from nitrite -> nitrate. So if your ammonia is going down something must be facilitating this (bacteria) all of which you will lose if you change filters.

**lettuceman44** · 01-28-2013, 12:16 AM

Even if I have no nitrites yet though?

For now I have them running together, but the HOB is annoying because it is slightly noisy, and I sleep in the same room :P