SereneReyn

how long does the nitrite stage last?

MissMTS

It depends on the size tank that you have, what fish you have in it, what you are using to cycle it and your water changes. Hate to break it to you, but a complete cycle takes about 6 weeks unless you use bio spira.

SereneReyn

that's not news, but thanks.

Gitser

I don't know why everyone raves about bio-spira. I used it twice, and it didn't work. First time added to tank about 4 weeks into cycle with fish already in tank, and after 48 hrs had ammonia readings over 2.0. There were 4 zebra danios, 2 rainbow sharks, 2 angel fish, and 3 cory cats in a 52 gal tank. I drained tank completely, putting fish in a bucket and restarted from scratch using only bio-spira. Again after 48 hours still had ammonia over 2.0, with 0 nitrites, and 5 - 10 nitrates. I am now changing 25% water daily, I wasted $80 on that stuff

capekate

Hi Serene
In my 55g that I cycled fishless the nitrItes readings lasted 12 days.
hope that helps... Of course all tank conditions are different, but that is what my readings were. ( checked the records I kept).

~ kate

SereneReyn

thanks alot kate, was just looking for a ballpark anyway...

eepruls

I'm doing my first fishless cycle with pure ammonia and have had nitrites stagnant for 16 days and counting! Ammonia has been at 0ppm for two weeks now and I'm still adding it at 3 drops to my 10 gallon tank. So that's all good but nitrites just keep reading the same vibrant purple colour. I've even had nitrAtes for a while now but the nitrites just won't change.

I do know that the nitrites are the longest part of the cycle. I just want to get my fish in there already!

steveangela1

Do you all have access to gravel from an established tank or filter media from another tank that has bacteria on it? that can help speed the cycle up. my last tank that I started up I used all old crushed coral from a tank, half old water, and a filter cartrige from another filter that was established w/ bacteria (you could also just get the filter media from another filter)... you could put the gravel in a bag and put it in the filter... anything to ad the bacteria in the mix

eepruls

Unfortunately I don't know anyone with an established tank and this is my only one so I'm forced to just wait and let nature take its course. I started my cycle on Feb. 12/08 so this is the 4th week already. I can't tell you how many times I've had to explain why I have a completely set up tank filled with water and a light overtop yet no fish! LOL.

capekate

Hi Eepruls..
I was wondering if maybe you should up the amount of ammonia drops you are putting in the tank? For two weeks now and no ammonia readings may indicate that there is not enough ammonia going in to start your cycle.
Maybe someone else who has used the ammonia to cycle can jump in here and let you know more on that...

~ kate

eepruls

I've already gone through the ammonia stage. During the first two weeks (Feb. 12 - Feb. 26), ammonia spiked high and then dropped to 0ppm. Nitrites appeared on Feb. 19 (one week in) and spiked some days later. So since that time , I've had nitrites in the tank. The total time since day one of this fishless cycle is now 23 days (the last 16 of which have had nitrites).

I'm still adding ammonia which reads as 0ppm (because Nitrosomonas are established in the tank from week 1). I don't yet have a large enough colony of Nitrobacter to oxidize nitrites so they remain in the tank.

capekate

Hi eepruls..
I was not aware of your earlier readings on ammonia. That makes a big difference knowing that, thanks.
Well.. it really sounds like you should have had nitrAtes showing up by now. That is strange..
Other than the missing nitrAtes.. it sounds like your tank was/is successfully going through the cycle. You had the spike on ammonia... the nitrIte spike as well... but no nitrAte yet. Well... IMO I think that your nitrates are right around the corner.. and you should be cycled soon!
I cycled my 55g fishless and it took me about 23 days or so.. Id have to look in the books to be sure. BUT I had a filter sponge that I added from another tank.
Hang in there! YOU will soon have fish for your tank! I know how you feel.. I was staring at the 55 with the bubble wand going.. decorations.. lights on lol.. and no fish for awhile too!
~ kate

eepruls

Actually I've had nitrAtes in the tank for quite a while as well. The nitrItes just wouldn't go down.

I just did a complete set of readings and to my amazement, nitrites are almost gone! It's amazing how fast that happened because yesterday they were still way up there. They are definitely below 0.25ppm. NitrAtes are reading at 20ppm.

richard7467

sounds like your pretty much there well done good luck.

Peterpiper

HI eepruls,
When you use ammonia to cycle, it is important to keep adding ammonia each day to give you a reading of 5. this is because the bacteria needs ammonia to live. think of ammonia as food for bacteria.
Once the ammonia and nitrites drop to 0 after 12hrs (ie reading at 7am=5 then at 7pm=0) then your tank has cycled.
You will need to keep adding ammonia until you are ready to add your fish.
Do a 100% water change just before adding the fish as the ammonia will have messed up the ph.