Im about week 3 or so of my cycle. I dosed Dr Tims ammonia and one and only as directed. I have low to no ammonia and havent at all during the cycle. Very high nitrites and no nitrates. I have tried a water change to drop the nitrites but it is unsuccessful. I put one fish in 4 days ago and it is eating and seems healthy. Is this normal? Still mid cycle?
in cycle question
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Randy Holmes-Farley
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I'd mostly ignore the nitrite but I'd make sure the kit can detect ammonia properly.
Did you just add ammonia once?
MnFish1
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When was the last time that you added ammonia - and how much? - which test kit are you using. Generally speaking a water change is done if nitrates are elevated. Depending on which test you're using the elevated nitrite may be interfering with your nitrate measurement. Here is one example. I would not think your cycle is stopped.
Nitrit/Nitrat Test | Produktinformationen
It takes a longer for the Nitrite to Nitrate conversion. Just be patient. If you would like to dose more nitrifying bacteria there's nothing wrong with it. When I cycle I'm gonna add Dr. Tim's OAO, Microbacter7 and Probidio's Start Up all at once. Then let the tank cook. IMO, you're still mid-cycle.
You don't want 0 nitrates if the tank is cycling properly. 0 ammonia yes, nitrites are irrelevant in reef aquaria. Do you have adequate rock scape in the tank for beneficial bacteria? The 0 readings are most likely due to only one fish currently not producing much waste.
You probably just need a few more fish now to start seeing measurable nitrates.
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