Those Darn Nitrites!

[jimc58]

We have been cycling our new 75gal tank for a little over a month now. We have 90#s of LR and 40#s of LS. Right away the amonia shot way up, then dropped to zero within a week. The nitrites shot up as well, and have remained there ever since. There is no indication that they will ever come back down
Is there any way to help this out, or is it just a waiting game?
TIA

 

[kris]

Wait-they'll come down. I also commend your cycling with only lr and ls instead of subjecting some poor little fishes that you probly won't want later anyway to do the job. What kind of filtration are you using?? Sometimes adding a little "cycle" or other enzyme product to the bio-media can help--but be patient.
Good Luck

 

[jimc58]

Thanks for the replies. I have an Emporer 400 filter running. I turned off the skimmer early on in the cycle, on advice from people here. I figured I would have to just keep waiting, but was hoping for something that might speed things up a bit. The tank has been up since early Feb. so I am getting use to having an tank with no fish. It is nice to have the LR in there with stuff growing on it. At least there is something to look at

 

[sandy]

Wow. Good for you for waiting! You won't be unhappy. I did it the wrong way... all my critters are fine, but I'm EXHAUSTED!
ps: from Tucson lol (at least it's cooler in Flagstaff)

 

[salty guy]

Have you had some one else test it? If it has not come down any your test kit may be bad.
Fishing for ideas
wow 90lbs in a 75gal thats a lot of rock! <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />

 

[jimc58]

I was thinking that the test kit may be bad, but I use the same one on the Q tank and I get zero readings from it in that tank. The Q tank (which did cycle) has live sand and a piece of LR, along with a peppermint shrimp (to eat the aptasia) and two perculas waiting for a larger home...

 

[chrismilano]

I went 9 WEEKS with my 70 gallon.
Just dont do anything dumb like add cycle or any additives. Live rock will help, but believe me, I didnt believe it either, but they will suddenly drop over 2 days.

 

[kris]

hey chrismilano--why so down on the additives--I'don't believe there are the end all be all of the fish world but if it helps get the job done.?? I'll grant you some actually say "no cycling needed" or that you can add all your fish the same day and not have a problem. Which no one in their right mind would trust, but it can't hurt.

 

[briansreeftank19660426]

each tank is different. if your tap water has more nitrites in it than other people that doesnt help. it will be over comed however with time. do u hve well water?city water? i would throw in 2 tomato clowns there cheap and hardy.. DO NOT THROW IN DAMSELS UNLESS U LIKE THEM. YOU WILL NEVER GET THEM OUT EVER11!!!!!!!!1
LEARN FROM my mistakes lol.....i have a 30 gallon it took 3 weeks. my 20 gallon took 6 weeks go figure... my 3 gallon on my desk took a 10 days..did you ad a bacteria culture? they help.. come in the red little bottle from your lfs.