What drops first, nitrites or ammonia?
- Thread starter mpgt
- Start date
seanic aquarium
New Member
Amonia first, then nitrite then nitrate. Still should check them all before adding fish. If Nitrate is a little high it is not that toxic, the other two are deadly.
Good Luck
Aaon <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />
Good Luck
Aaon <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />
j21kickster
Active Member
nitrate doesnt just go away, it must be taken out w/ water changes and/or nitrate removal systems
mr . salty
Active Member
Although amminia will show up before nitrItes during the cycle,It is actually the nitrItes that usually dropto zero first.Ammonia will take a bit longer to reach zero....But just to be safe,you really should wait as long as possible before you add fish.This will help to avoud problems in the long run...A month is safe....
jdl/dayton
Member
Ammonia forms first from fish waste, LR, uneaten food...etc. It degrades to Nitrite. Finally nitrite degrades to Nitrate.
Expect a rapid spike in Ammonia followed by nitrite within the first few days. Nitrate will be a little slow in coming as the bacteria establish themselves. Nitrate will build up in the system till removed by water change.
Cycle time can be anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks depending on fish load used for the cycle. Cycle is complete when Ammonia and Nitrite are essentially zero. Technically they will never be zero more like below detectable limits.
Expect a rapid spike in Ammonia followed by nitrite within the first few days. Nitrate will be a little slow in coming as the bacteria establish themselves. Nitrate will build up in the system till removed by water change.
Cycle time can be anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks depending on fish load used for the cycle. Cycle is complete when Ammonia and Nitrite are essentially zero. Technically they will never be zero more like below detectable limits.