High Nitrites

dandydan9

dandydan9

New Member
I'm having difficulty cycling my tank. While the Ammonia level has dropped to zero, the Nitrites are remaining at or over 5.0 ppm for four plus weeks now.
I used some fish food to begin the cycling about five weeks ago and haven't done anything else except one 20% water change two weeks ago.
The remaining parameters are as follows:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite > =5.0 ppm
Nitrate 20 ppm
PH 8.4
The test kit I'm using is the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Master Liquid Test kit.
Any help is appreciated.
 
dandydan9

dandydan9

New Member
Nitrate stable at 20 ppm for two weeks now.
Not sure I want to invest additional $$$ for a new test kit if nothing is wrong with this brand of test kit.
Also, using RO water.
could using gallon jug water bottles (emptied and not cleaned with anything just air dried) be polluting the RO water?
 
1journeyman

1journeyman

Active Member
I don't think poulltion is the problem. Especially since amount is not moving.
Take your water to the nearest store and have them check for nitrite. I really suspect your test is bad. That happens...
 
dandydan9

dandydan9

New Member
No problem with test kit as I tested on fresh batch of saltwater prior to adding to tank.
Any other recommendations regarding static Nitrite levels?
Perhaps more waiting time? Shouldn't bacteria colony eventually reduce levels?
 
michaeltx

michaeltx

Moderator
somethings not right there. The first thing I would do is take a water sample to the LFS alot of them have a more precise test kits that will tell you exactly where everything is.
AQP test kits I dont like not because they are bad but because of the I had a problem similar to what you are having and the chemicals were off so when the amonia test got so low it jumped back up high again. never did figure out why though. but have the LFS test your water and post the results. I wouldnt be surprised if they were close if not 0 already.
Mike
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
four weeks is not impossible. The first time I cycled my 110x (no rock) I used ammonium chloride and a handful of gravel from a friend. I began to cycle on 11/15, and nitrites did not zero until 1/7. If your kit is good, then just be patient. Consider it good training for having a saltwater tank.
 
dandydan9

dandydan9

New Member
The only other piece of info I'd like to add is that I mistakenly
used Marineland Diamond Blend Carbon.
After realizing that the Ammonia fighting crystals are meant for freshwater only, I removed them and replaced with Black Magic Activated Carbon, but a few crystals may have fallen to the bottom of the tank.
Could the few Ammonia fighitng crystals that fell to the bottom have any affect?
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by dandydan9
The only other piece of info I'd like to add is that I mistakenly
used Marineland Diamond Blend Carbon.
After realizing that the Ammonia fighting crystals are meant for freshwater only, I removed them and replaced with Black Magic Activated Carbon, but a few crystals may have fallen to the bottom of the tank.
Could the few Ammonia fighitng crystals that fell to the bottom have any affect?
I highly doubt it. How high did your ammonia spike when it did? Do you have anything in this tank? Have you been doing water changes? I had this same exact thing happen.
 
dandydan9

dandydan9

New Member
Ammonia got as high as the test card high limit range then fell to zero.
Has remained at zero for a few weeks now while nitrites remain at high range.
I've performed two 20% water changes over the past four weeks.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by dandydan9
Ammonia got as high as the test card high limit range then fell to zero.
Has remained at zero for a few weeks now while nitrites remain at high range.
I've performed two 20% water changes over the past four weeks.
If you don't have anything alive in there, stop doing water changes. Your cycle is progessing as it should. Your nitrites are staying high because you had ALOT of ammonia to be broken down. It is probably going to take a few more weeks. The fact that you do have nitrates shows that the cycle is progressing. You just had alot to break down. Everything is on track, just be patient.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by dandydan9
How many additional weeks might it be b4 the nitrite levels fall to zero?
Thanks for all the replies.
It is hard to tell for sure. It depends on your water movement, size tank, amout of biological filtration etc. Just be patient, it will fall. And you are welcome anytime
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top