Cycle

[tassod]

So I reset my tank and started the cycle 2 and half weeks ago with pure ammonia. Got my spike to like 3-4 ppm of ammonia. I also added Bio spira. Now my seachem alert badge is yellow showing zero ammonia. I tested Nitrite with API and it showed about 2ppm for nitrite but my Salifert kit shows 0.025 for nitrite. NO3 was 50ppm. I did a 50% water change now, i am assuming i am good to go now to add fish?

 

[Quiet_Ivy]

So I reset my tank and started the cycle 2 and half weeks ago with pure ammonia. Got my spike to like 3-4 ppm of ammonia. I also added Bio spira. Now my seachem alert badge is yellow showing zero ammonia. I tested Nitrite with API and it showed about 2ppm for nitrite but my Salifert kit shows 0.025 for nitrite. NO3 was 50ppm. I did a 50% water change now, i am assuming i am good to go now to add fish?

Seeing this very late but no- wait til your nitrite drops. Nitrate tests are notoriously wrong if there's nitrite present.

hth
ivy

 

[laga77]

Keep adding a little ammonia everyday to keep the cycle going until you are ready for fish.

 

[tassod]

I tested last night and ammonia and nitrite are both at 0 now and nitrates are at 25. I believe the cycle is done. Should be adding my first fish today.

 

[Happyschneider]

Your nitrite might be low because of the water change you did. Might be now below detection level. That could mean that your system still can process ammonia faster than nitrite. If the bioload is small, it is not a problem. If you add fish already make sure you add them slowly and don't over feed!