Cycling question

[canadianeh]

Day #17
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 1.62 ppm
Nitrate 54 ppm

Day #18
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0.56 ppm
Nitrate 27 ppm
Ph 80

Why it takes so long for my Nitrite to become to 0? On day 16 the Nitrite was 3.23 ppm and I added 1 ppm of ammonia on the same day. No more ammonia added since day 16.

Also, it looks like my Ammonia also going down? Is it possible that it is being consumed by algae in my tank? I notice that I have dots on my rock.

No water change is done since day 1 and I plan to change the water on day 21

 

[mcgyvr]

Your tank seems to be cycling normally.. Give it another 2 weeks and you are probably good to go..
You can keep the lights off to attempt to keep the algae at bay..

Your ammonia is going down because the cycling process is working.. Thats whats supposed to happen.. But you still have measureable nitrite so you aren't done yet..
Looks like you are starting to get diatoms (which is totally normal and will pass with time)

In general it takes roughly 4 weeks to cycle a tank from dry rock/sand.. Some can cycle in far less.. But in case someone already hasn't told you... Take it slow.. NOTHING good happens fast in reefing..

 

[canadianeh]

I am taking it slow, but I am trying to make sense my why Nitrate also going down. I thought it is supposed to stay until I do water change. As I mentioned that I have not done WC since day 1.

So my question is why the Nitrate also coming down? Is it because the Diatoms is consuming it? If this is the case, should it not be better to do water change earlier than my plan (on the 21st day)?

 

[gone fishin]

Some nitrate test will produce a skewed result with Nitrite still present. I would not worry about nitrate levels until the nitrite is gone. good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[schnebbles]

what test kit do you use for nitrate? I want it! I have API and I always have trouble with the colors and it's not that precise.

 

[canadianeh]

Some nitrate test will produce a skewed result with Nitrite still present. I would not worry about nitrate levels until the nitrite is gone. good luck just my 2 cents.

I understand but what is interesting is the trend of the results. When I feed more ammonia as Nitrite goes up the Nitrate results also goes up. When I don't feed ammonia and as Nitrite result goes down and so Nitrate. It has some correlation for sure, and for sure the Nitrate amount is somewhat depleting and increasing. I would like to know if this is due to possible Diatoms/brown algae spots that you see on the picture.

what test kit do you use for nitrate? I want it! I have API and I always have trouble with the colors and it's not that precise.

I am using Exact Idip 570nm Marine kit. I am having hard time judging by color so digital is the way to go for me.

 

[mcgyvr]

Thats what happens.. Your tank simply has the needed bacteria,etc.. to process nitrate..

You add ammonia and that is more than the tank can handle.. Once you stop the input the tank adapts and nitrate is reduced..

In a perfect world you can dump all the ammonia you want and the full process happens without needing any additional nitrate export methods..

 

[canadianeh]

Thats what happens.. Your tank simply has the needed bacteria,etc.. to process nitrate..

You add ammonia and that is more than the tank can handle.. Once you stop the input the tank adapts and nitrate is reduced..

In a perfect world you can dump all the ammonia you want and the full process happens without needing any additional nitrate export methods..

But who break down or consume the Nitrate?

Btw, I only add 1-2 ppm of ammonia and not everyday.

 

[mcgyvr]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle

 

[canadianeh]

Thank you

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle