Markpatrick33 Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Okay. So I have started my cycle. First test before adding an ammonia source was obviously zeros across the board. Added food to break down into ammonia. Five days later tested, ammonia looked to be at around a .5 ppm and I had nitrate readings of 10 ppm, however I never saw my nitrites spike? Which is confusing to me. And then today (2 days since last test) my ammonia is down to .25 ppm and nitrates up to 20 ppm STILL 0 NITRITE LEVELS?! Is this common? Am I just missing them when I’m testing? Am I doing something wrong? I don’t understand how I am getting nitrates without ever seeing a nitrite spike Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 Nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are breaking it down without a noticeable spike. That's how it typically works (nitrite being non-detectable) after the cycle has been established. However, your rock isn't fully cycled yet. Are you using some live rock? Quote Link to comment
Markpatrick33 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 No I’m not I got dry life rock Quote Link to comment
DreC80 Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 Live sand? Anything that was previously alive lol? I'll admit it seems a little strange. I've always gotten a nitrite reading during a cycle. 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 3 hours ago, DreC80 said: Live sand? That could explain it. However, whatever the case, nitrite levels are typically not particularly important. Toxicity levels in seawater are not really an issue. Although nitrite levels of 5ppm or higher have been shown to slow down oxidation (which can sometimes be achieved when dosing ammonia/ammonium chloride. 6 hours ago, Markpatrick33 said: Added food to break down into ammonia... No I’m not I got dry life rock With dry rock, I'd probably add ammonium chloride following this fishless cycling guide: http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling This will allow you to better build up a robust biofilter without adding a lot of excess organics. 1 Quote Link to comment
05XRunner Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 Did you add any bottles of bacteria like Bio-Spira or Microbacter7? 1 Quote Link to comment
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