Tank Cycle

[stevenjsacco]

Hello everyone,

I started my tank cycle. It's been about a week and a half and during this time my ammonia levels have spiked to ~2.0 and when measured today reside at 0 pp thus I decided to text my nitrite levels. They are extremely high. I am curious as to whether or not my cycle is moving too quickly or if this is unusual.

Thank you.

 

[MarcJell]

Hello everyone,

I started my tank cycle. It's been about a week and a half and during this time my ammonia levels have spiked to ~2.0 and when measured today reside at 0 pp thus I decided to text my nitrite levels. They are extremely high. I am curious as to whether or not my cycle is moving too quickly or if this is unusual.

Thank you.

Well the good news is that your tank is cycling.

Did you add anything to the tank to kick start the cycle?

On the plus side there isn't a such thing as to quick or even to slow for cycling. Each tank takes its own time. It's ready when it's ready. Could always try adding some beneficial live bacteria to the tank or even dose with pure Ammonia if you think that things aren't happening as they should.

Ammonia from nitrite can happen pretty quick ingeneral anyway. The Nitrite spike normally lasts the longest anyway.

Good luck!

 

[stevenjsacco]

I used raw shrimp to kick start the cycle. I didn't know that the nitrite spike was the longest in the nitrogen cycle. Thank you!

 

[MarcJell]

I used raw shrimp to kick start the cycle. I didn't know that the nitrite spike was the longest in the nitrogen cycle. Thank you!

I think most people use that method. I personally have never tried it and I've used and use Fluval Cycle live bacteria. Also added live rock around 4 days after setting up and then let the cycle take its course

 

[OrQidz]

Yep, your cycle is proceeding along. Just be patient, you'll get there! The nitrite to nitrate seems to take an eternity. But it will happen.

 

[thegrun]

I agree with the above posts, but how high is extremely high? If it is over 8ppm I would make a large water change to get them below 8ppm, otherwise the cycle will take a very long time to complete.

 

[Lsufan]

I agree with the above posts, but how high is extremely high? If it is over 8ppm I would make a large water change to get them below 8ppm, otherwise the cycle will take a very long time to complete.

I know a lot of nitrite tests are hard to tell if u have 5 or 25 ppm but if it gets really high is one of the times I would do a water change during a cycle. If it gets above 8 to 10 ppm it can stall your cycle to where it takes even longer to complete.