Low ammonia but high nitrites?

Hi, I'm on day 17 of fishless cycling my new tank, in the beginning i started off with dr tims one and only live bacteria and ammonia. My cycle has been going well and I've been monitoring water daily. Right now my levels are
PH : 7.2- 7.6
Ammonia 1.0ppm
Nitrites 5.0ppm or higher
Nitrates 5.0ppm - 10ppm

The highest my ammonia reached was 4.0ppm in early cycling, i haven't done any water changes as my ammonia drops my nitrites have been climbing as expected but my question is should i add more ammonia to bring it up to 2ppm or above or should i wait for ammonia to reach 0 before adding more?
It's been a journey and i know it needs alot of patience but am i on track with cycling or should i be worried about high nitrites stalling my cycle?
Another question is if topping up my water level at this time would interupt the cycle as in change the levels of ammonia and nitrites or nitrates?

 

Let ammonia go to zero then add more, nitrites bacteria grow slower then ammonias so its common to have to wait for nitites to catch up.

 

Let ammonia go to zero then add more, nitrites bacteria grow slower then ammonias so its common to have to wait for nitites to catch up.

Makes sense which explains why it's taking longer. When i add ammonia is 2ppm enough or should i add up to 4ppm?

 

Makes sense which explains why it's taking longer. When i add ammonia is 2ppm enough or should i add up to 4ppm?

Tell us your tank size and what your initial stocking you plan to have.

 

Tell us your tank size and what your initial stocking you plan to have.

It's a 30L tank and as for the number of fish I'm not sure yet but i have in mind a few gold fish maybe 3-4

 

It's a 30L tank and as for the number of fish I'm not sure yet but i have in mind a few gold fish maybe 3-4

I would not do goldfish in a tank that small. You will want some nano fish as even Fancy goldfish (that don't get as big as comets) still get a decent size

 

2 ppm is usually more than enough for fully stocked tanks.

 

2 ppm is more than enough for your size tank. However you will struggle heavily with goldfish in that tank.

 

adult goldfish need 20-25g (80-100L) per fish

 

I would not do goldfish in a tank that small. You will want some nano fish as even Fancy goldfish (that don't get as big as comets) still get a decent size

I am planning to get a bigger tank but first want to experience with this small one. Maybe I'd start with 1 or 2 fish so it doesn't get crowded in there because my kids realllyyy want goldfish

 

I am planning to get a bigger tank but first want to experience with this small one. Maybe I'd start with 1 or 2 fish so it doesn't get crowded in there because my kids realllyyy want goldfish

Unfortunately it will still be a struggle.
However you are somewhat mitigating a quicker failure by cycling off the bat which will buy you some time. If you are dead set on it then just a suggestion to make sure you continually check your water parameters and be prepared to do many water changes. Hope the kids enjoy it!

 

Unfortunately it will still be a struggle.
However you are somewhat mitigating a quicker failure by cycling off the bat which will buy you some time. If you are dead set on it then just a suggestion to make sure you continually check your water parameters and be prepared to do many water changes. Hope the kids enjoy it!

Just to confirm i understand what you're saying that if i put goldfish in a tank this small i would be having trouble even if it is cycled? Are you suggesting water changes due to ammonia spikes?

 

Just to confirm i understand what you're saying that if i put goldfish in a tank this small i would be having trouble even if it is cycled? Are you suggesting water changes due to ammonia spikes?

Yes, goldfish get way to big for a tank that size. Even if it's cycled

 

Yes, goldfish get way to big for a tank that size. Even if it's cycled

Ok makes sense. I'll be purchasing a bigger tank soon and once it's set up i will start the cycle. So once my current tank is cycled they'll only be in it until the larger tank is ready for them

 

How big is the bigger tank? Most people vastly underestimate how big goldfish get.

 

Just to confirm i understand what you're saying that if i put goldfish in a tank this small i would be having trouble even if it is cycled? Are you suggesting water changes due to ammonia spikes?

Goldfish don’t have stomachs so they produce much more ammonia from waste. So even if they fit into the aquarium for size they are much harder to keep (even in a cycled tank) bc of the waste. You would have to do LOTS more water changes as opposed to other types of similarly sized fish. So to me the issues isn’t the size the fish will be one day but rather the difficulty keeping them day to day now. In my experience they are one of the hardest fish to keep actually. Maybe if you take the kids to the store with you they will discover other fish that are cool bc there are a lot!

 

Goldfish don’t have stomachs so they produce much more ammonia from waste. So even if they fit into the aquarium for size they are much harder to keep (even in a cycled tank) bc of the waste. You would have to do LOTS more water changes as opposed to other types of similarly sized fish. So to me the issues isn’t the size the fish will be one day but rather the difficulty keeping them day to day now. In my experience they are one of the hardest fish to keep actually. Maybe if you take the kids to the store with you they will discover other fish that are cool bc there are a lot!View attachment 859813View attachment 859814

Very interesting thank you! I will take them with me and get them to look at the smaller easier fish