QT hanging on Nitrite

[rogeragrimes]

Brand new QT, 5 weeks old. It's got a sponge filter pump and a few 2" PVC joints. Nothing else. I'm waiting for it to complete it's cycle to add fish. It went through the first cycle in about 2-3 weeks. Nitrates were high so I did a complete water change. Since then, about 2-3 weeks, it's got zero ammonia, but high on Nitrite, and zero Nitrate. I added a bit of shrimp to re-spike the ammonia hoping it would pop the nitrite into nitrate, but so far it has not changed. Zero ammonia, zero nitrate.

Also, is there any substrate safe for me to add to the QT so that the bacteria has something to grow on besides the filter sponge and PVC? I think that is part of the problem...not enough surfaces.

 

[scooter31707]

Well that was your first mistake, during the water change. The water change comes when the cycle is complete. Yes PVC pipe is good even this purpose and for the fish to feel safe. If you are not using meds in this tank, then live rock will be even better.

 

[rogeragrimes]

I didn't do the water change until everything else was zero but the nitrate, and nitrate was high. So I figured cycle was over. I did the water change, and viola! back in the cycle a bit. No ammonia though (and I even have a rotting shrimp piece in there for over a week). I just checked chemicals again. Nitrate is over 5...deep, deep purple. Nitrate is zero. I'm testing two tanks (my QT and DT at the same time) so I know the Nitrate chemical is good...because it registers differently and is on trend.