High Nitrite and Nitrate

Hi, I am currently doing a fishless cycle. It has been a week. Right now my tank seem to be stuck on 5+ ppm nitrite and 160 nitrate while my ammonia is 0. I did about 40% water change yesterday because green tint water. I was wondering if the cycle could had stalled or crash? I did dose stability for 2 days but stopped using it. Thank you.

10 Gallon tank
PH: 8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 5+ (dark purple)
Nitrate: 160ppm (red)
Currently there is only 2 moss ball, 2 driftwood, and java moss.

 

I would keep using stability for the recommend time it works wonders is used right

 

I would keep using stability for the recommend time it works wonders is used right

Should I just continue to add stability for the remaining days or start over with a full cap size?

 

seeing as how you stopped usage I would start over but that is just me keep up with your water changes keep checking water parameters and all should be well are you doing a fish in cycle or fishless cycle

 

seeing as how you stopped usage I would start over but that is just me keep up with your water changes keep checking water parameters and all should be well are you doing a fish in cycle or fishless cycle

It is a fishless cycle

 

yap id start with a 50% water change then and start over with stability do you have live plants in there thos also help by using nitrites as a food source among other things granted live plant is not a cure all for water parameters but they do help out with the bio load if you not fimilair with live plant I can recommend some easy plants to grow
also just want to say your awesome for going the route of a fishless cycle

 

@clinker, welcome to the forum

Although it may sound counterintuitive, cycling a small tank sometimes is harder to do vs. a larger tank.

What are you using as your source of ammonia while tank cycles?

Also, how long has tank been cycling and how long have you had the green tinted water?

Is the tank near a window where sunlight can hit it?

Also, what filter(s) are you using? Cartridge based HOB? Sponge filter ?

 

newbywho
I am going to add in some anubias and java fern

Islandvic
I am using dr tI'm ammonia.

My tank has only been cycling for a week now. I figure it just takes more time before nitrite begins to drop, but if that was the cause shouldn't there be little to none nitrate? For the green tinted water I think it cause by the glass being tinted since when I turn on my lights, it would look clear. The tank is from petco dollar per gallon sale.

The tank is under a window but no sunlight would hit it directly.

I am using a Aquaclear 20.

 

Aquaclear's are excellent filters. I have a few myself.

If I can make a suggestion, discard the bag of carbon and add a 2nd foam sponge block into the AC's reservoir.

The 2nd sponge will help catch more muck once you add fish, and will also provide additional surface area to colonize beneficial bacteria.

Dr. Tim's ammonia is good, I've used it also. Also, with a fishless cycle it's safe to bump to temp up to the mid to 80's. The beneficial bacteria will multiply quicker when its warmer.

 

I am a believer in keeping nitrites and nitrates reasonable during cycling. Nitrites below 5 ppm, maybe below 2 ppm and Nitrates below 40 ppm. Not everybody believes in this. I am a newbie and am just learning about cycling so consider that in evaluating my opinion.

But I have heard no downside to sufficient water changes to keep nitrites and nitrates reasonable.

Following is a really good explanation of stalled cycles and why keeping nitrites reasonable might help.

Symptoms of a Stalled Fishless Cycle and How to Fix it Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle 429601