cycling question

[jshev]

Hello,

My tank can turn ammonia over in one night.

I dosed with ammonia to around 2ppm or a little more.

Next morning ammonia was a t 0ppm, but nitrites remain very high around 5ppm. (i think, maybe more)

is that normal? I no that nitrites are suppose to spike, but are mine too high? I have read a lot of contraindications regarding water changes during your cycle. Should I do a small water change or will that mess up the cycle?

Should I just let it sit and wait?

Also, I have read a lot regarding fish less cycles. The consensus is to continue to dose ammonia every time it falls to zero in order to feed the ammonia-oxidizers. However, this is producing a very large quantity of Nitrite. As my nitrite-oxidizers have yet to become established as far as I can tell. My Nitrate is starting to become high as well. Nitrate around 20ppm (maybe less).

 

about my tank: 10 gallon fusion, intank filter (only using filter floss), about 1.5-2 inches of live sand, and only about 8 lbs of live rock (the rock is very porous and is light), Lights off, no algae build up yet, and temp set at 79. Edit: my rock was dry and I used Bio-Spira to seed my tank.

[seabass]

When did you setup your tank?

 

If you have nitrate, the bacteria is processing nitrite. To me, it sounds like the cycle has become established (and you don't need to dose more ammonia). I'd probably do a large water change to bring down nitrate before adding a cleanup crew of carnivores and omnivores (waiting on herbivores until you get a little algae).

 

Nitrite isn't a big concern in a saltwater tank. However, you could wait until nitrite zeros out if that makes you more comfortable.

[ReefSafeSolutions]

I've been following these instructions:

 

http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling

 

Since you used Bio-Spira, I'd expect the process to be similar. For what it's worth, I experience very similar things. Ammonia gets processed fairly quickly, but my nitrites spike. When the nitrites come down I dose more ammonia and see how fast the system processes it. But to answer your question, yes, I think what you are experiencing is normal.

 

As per the instructions, once I get to where ammonia and nitrite can basically zero out in a day, I'll start considering adding a fish.

[jshev]

When did you setup your tank?

 

If you have nitrate, the bacteria is processing nitrite. To me, it sounds like the cycle has become established (and you don't need to dose more ammonia). I'd probably do a large water change to bring down nitrate before adding a cleanup crew of carnivores and omnivores (waiting on herbivores until you get a little algae).

 

Nitrite isn't a big concern in a saltwater tank. However, you could wait until nitrite zeros out if that makes you more comfortable.

my tank was set up about two weeks ago, but about three days ago I had to do a large water change do to the fact that I accidentally introduced a contaminate into the water. I thought that would stall my cycle but I don't think it did. Since than I have continued to dose with ammonia daily.

[jshev]

I've been following these instructions:

 

http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling

 

Since you used Bio-Spira, I'd expect the process to be similar. For what it's worth, I experience very similar things. Ammonia gets processed fairly quickly, but my nitrites spike. When the nitrites come down I dose more ammonia and see how fast the system processes it. But to answer your question, yes, I think what you are experiencing is normal.

 

As per the instructions, once I get to where ammonia and nitrite can basically zero out in a day, I'll start considering adding a fish.

After reading this it seems I have been adding ammonia to fast. As I said, I added ammonia when ever ammonia dropped to zero, but I didn't wait until my nitrites also dropped. Now my Nitrites are very high. I think Im going to wait a few days and see if they begin to drop. If not I might do a water change. What do you think?

[seabass]

The bacteria tend to establish on surfaces (less so in the water column). So while water changes can extend the time it takes before the cycle becomes established, they don't do much harm to the bacteria populations.

 

Yeah, you can wait for nitrite to come down too. But the simple fact that you have nitrate, means that your tank is processing nitrite. Since nitrite isn't very toxic at reef pH levels, I tend not to worry too much about it.

 

However, waiting for nitrite to drop is probably a good idea. Then you can be sure that adequate bacteria populations exists before adding any livestock. Remember to do a large enough water change before adding livestock so that nitrate is well below 10 ppm.

[jshev]

 

bring down nitrate before adding a cleanup crew of carnivores and omnivores (waiting on herbivores until you get a little algae).

 

Nitrite isn't a big concern in a saltwater tank. However, you could wait until nitrite zeros out if that makes you more comfortable.

Do mind elaborating on the type of CUC you would use? I am doing research and any additional information is help full. Thanks

[seabass]

No problem. For carnivores, I like nassarius snails. For omnivores, I like cerith snails (and a dwarf blue leg hermit crab to add a little interest). You can feed these a little fish food a couple of times a week until you get some other livestock and algae. For herbivores, I like trochus snails (and turbo snails for larger tanks).

[ReefSafeSolutions]

I find turbo snails to be VERY good at taking care of green hair algae. In my dad's old tank, he had more green hair algae than his snails could take care of (he had maybe 2 snails in a 30 gallon tank). He added about 7 more snails and within a day, all the algae had been eaten up. It was awesome!

 

I've never had the smaller snails before (turbo snails aren't huge but they're certainly not small) so in my tank I'm probably going to go with smaller snails to hopefully keep the nooks and crannies clean.

[Clown79]

Nassarius snails are great for cleaning your sandbed.

 

Cerith are tiny so good for in between corals and rocks

 

Trochus are awesome cleaners!

 

I love hermits. I like scarlets and halloweens best. They are docile but good cleaners. That being said i have a good mix of them with no issues.