(Im)patiently waiting...

[briden31]

I'm 25 days into a fishless cycle on my 55 gallon, and I'm sure that everyone is sick of my questions, but I have more. I genuinely appreciate all the help that I have gotten on this forum. Everyone has been SO helpful.

Here's a quick synopsis:

Filtration: HOB Penguin 350b, Ehiem 2215 canister
Light: Stock LED
Plants: 2 java fern, 1 anubias, 3 amazon swords, 6 corkscrew vals, java moss

Cycle data:
Start date: 8/7/11
Nitrites appeared: 8/16/11
Nitrates appeared: 8/20/11

My nitrItes continue to remain high, my nitrAtes seem to be dropping. I'm not sure what's accounting for the slow drop of nitrAtes, unless the plants are consuming some of that? They were at 80-160ppm, and now seem to be closer to 40-80ppm.

So anyway, here's my question. I have nitrAtes showing up, and still have high(ish) nitrItes (around 4ppm). Added ammonia clears within 24 hours, dropping back down to 0ppm. I've been reading on other forums, and it seems that others that have been stuck with high nitrItes have had luck in completing their cycle after doing a 50% water change... Would you suggest doing this? Is there any reason this would set the process back?

[rich311k]

A water change would not really delay anything and it very well may help move things along. You are definitely cooking nicely.

[Lady Hobbs]

I agree. A big water change might just give it the bump to push it into action again. A stall out can happen from adding too much ammonia especially if you didn't drop the level down once you saw nitrites.

BTW.......nitrAtes drop when you do a water change. When you cycle a tank, your only concern is ammonia and nitrite levels. When both are 0, you do the big water change to bring down nitrAtes below 20 and you're ready for fish.

[Taurus]

I just finnished reading your other thread about cycling the tank and the problem with high nitrites. Yeah, first thought that came to my mind was to do a big water change.

Oh, by the way, welcome to the forum from a fellow Vermonter.

[briden31]

I just finnished reading your other thread about cycling the tank and the problem with high nitrites. Yeah, first thought that came to my mind was to do a big water change.

Oh, by the way, welcome to the forum from a fellow Vermonter.

Wooohooo! Vermonters!!

Thanks for the input! I did a big water change Friday, tested nitrites, level was still 5+ppm. Did another BIG water change tonight, tested nitrites, level was 2-4ppm. I'm guessing that they were WAY off the test limits before the water changes. Ammonia still zeroing out, nitrates are low right now (due to the water changes). I'm hoping now that the nitrites are lower, and actually within the parameters of the test, that I'll actually see some movement on the tests.

[briden31]

IT WORKED! YAY!!!!!

I did another large water change last night. It brought the nitrite levels down to a readable range of 4ppm. I added some more ammonia. I tested this morning, ammonia and nitrites were BOTH at ZERO!!!!!!!!! HURRAY!!! It's cycled!!

I added more ammonia this morning, and I'll test again tonight to make sure that the ammonia and nitrites are both clearing.

My 3 year old daughter and I have a date Thursday to go get some fish for the tank!! Thank you ALL sooooo much for all of your help!

[rich311k]

Congrats, I am glad it worked out for you.