Acceptable nitrate during cycle

[ibrat82]

Hi Guys

What are acceptable nitrate levels during cycling? My cycle is near its end. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 50ppm nitrate. I did a large water change this morning and tested the nitrate again and it's reading near 20ppm. Will this continue to decrease? Should I wait till tomorrow and test again or do another water change 25% to get it to 10ppm or lower?

 

[thegrun]

Have you had any readings of ammonia or nitrite yet? If both have spiked and now dropped to zero your cycle is complete and I would make a major water change to get the nitrates below 10ppm to avoid excess algae growth. If you haven't had your ammonia and nitrite spikes just leave the tank alone.

 

[ibrat82]

Yes ammonia and nitrites have spiked. On day 25 of the cycle now. So should I do another 50% water change to bring nitrates to less than 10ppm if they currently are at 20ppm?

Have you had any readings of ammonia or nitrite yet? If both have spiked and now dropped to zero your cycle is complete and I would make a major water change to get the nitrates below 10ppm to avoid excess algae growth. If you haven't had your ammonia and nitrite spikes just leave the tank alone.

 

[thegrun]

Yes ammonia and nitrites have spiked. On day 25 of the cycle now. So should I do another 50% water change to bring nitrates to less than 10ppm if they currently are at 20ppm?

Yes, I would make at least a 50% water change and you should be ready for a small clean up crew and your first fish or corals after they have been quarantined.

 

[ibrat82]

So I did another 60% water change this morning and nitrates are now showing up between 5-10ppm depending on which test kit you use. API is showing 5ppm and Salifert is showing 10ppm.

Also now considering that my tank is cycled is this a good time to start the uv sterilizer?



Is this an acceptable level to start introducing a cycle and 2 fish?

Yes, I would make at least a 50% water change and you should be ready for a small clean up crew and your first fish or corals after they have been quarantined.

 

[ibrat82]

Hi can anyone help?

So I did another 60% water change this morning and nitrates are now showing up between 5-10ppm depending on which test kit you use. API is showing 5ppm and Salifert is showing 10ppm.

Also now considering that my tank is cycled is this a good time to start the uv sterilizer?



Is this an acceptable level to start introducing a cycle and 2 fish?

 

[jminick2]

nitrates wont affect fish at those levels or anything even near it.... if your nitrite and ammonia are 0 you are fine to add fish. However do so slowly 1 or 2 at a time, continue to monitor the ammonia levels make sure there isn't issues which there shouldn't be if tank cycled properly.

I'm not sure what you mean by introducing a cycle...You already had a cycle If you already had ammonia and nitrite spike which I know you did if you have nitrates because you can have one with out the other.

 

[ibrat82]

I think the question was about uv sterilizers.

Is it safe to run now? Knowing that my cycle is complete?

nitrates wont affect fish at those levels or anything even near it.... if your nitrite and ammonia are 0 you are fine to add fish. However do so slowly 1 or 2 at a time, continue to monitor the ammonia levels make sure there isn't issues which there shouldn't be if tank cycled properly.

I'm not sure what you mean by introducing a cycle...You already had a cycle If you already had ammonia and nitrite spike which I know you did if you have nitrates because you can have one with out the other.

 

[jminick2]

yes its fine to run a UV at this point