High Nitrate & Nitrite in Nano tank

[Alfonso]

Hello third week on my 6 gal Nano tank still no fish or corals check water parameters my Nitrite was 160 ppm & Nitrate read 5.0 ppm Even though I have no fish or corals what cause it to spike so high. I made a 2 gal water change will check water parameters next week ? Oh oh was 8.2 and 0 Ammonia specific gravity is 1.022 and salinity is 29 if that help with the issue?

 

[lmforbis]

What did you use to start the cycle? What were the parameters then?

 

[Alfonso]

What did you use to start the cycle? What were the parameters then?

First week I had zero reading across the board than 2 week Ammonia spike up this week different Serrano I did added a cap full of stability from Seachem establish Bio -filter suppose to break down Nitrate & Nitrite don’t know if this cause it but I will check in the next day .

 

[lmforbis]

Did you add a source of ammonia to start the cycle?

 

[Alfonso]

No

 

[lmforbis]

I don’t know where the nitrites came from but to start a cycle you need a source of ammonia to feed the bacteria while they multiply and colonize the tank. Most use a piece of raw shrimp, ghost feed or add pure ammonia to accomplish this. You test for ammonia until it goes away then you watch nitrites fall to 0. This take a few weeks to happen.
What are you using for water?

 

[Alfonso]

Good new tested all levels of my water parameters all down to 0 ppm PH 7.2 water temp is at 74 deg went to my local fish shop got me a small clownfish on fire shrimp and 6 Mexican turbo snails so far doing great I will check on them daily by next week a water change maybe some coral frags..

 

[Alfonso]

Good new tested all levels of my water parameters all down to 0 ppm 7.2 and temper around 74 Degress