Nitrites And Nitrates In A Cycle

so I checked the water parameters for the first time in a couple days during my fishless cycle, 0ppm ammonia, more than max nitrites and nitrates. I added 2ppm ammonia but I was wondering with max nitrites and nitrates should I do a water change or just leave them be?

 

Nitrate has fairly low toxicity to beneficial bacteria, but there isn't much scientific literature about how much nitrate is too much nitrate. If it's over 160 ppm, then I'd do a 50% water change just for the sake of it.

For nitrite, its toxicity to beneficial bacteria is related to pH: the lower the pH, the more toxic nitrite will be. As an example, a pH of 5.5 and a nitrite concentration of 10 ppm can stall a cycle. Generally, so long as your pH is high enough (75-8.5), it isn't urgently needed to do a water change to dilute nitrite.

That being said, I prefer having nitrite under 5 ppm because it's easier to track day to day changes. Nothing is more frustrating than seeing your nitrite test for over 5 ppm for over a week because you have an enormous backlog of nitrite that's being very slowly processed.

 

Nitrate has fairly low toxicity to beneficial bacteria, but there isn't much scientific literature about how much nitrate is too much nitrate. If it's over 160 ppm, then I'd do a 50% water change just for the sake of it.

For nitrite, its toxicity to beneficial bacteria is related to pH: the lower the pH, the more toxic nitrite will be. As an example, a pH of 5.5 and a nitrite concentration of 10 ppm can stall a cycle. Generally, so long as your pH is high enough (75-8.5), it isn't urgently needed to do a water change to dilute nitrite.

That being said, I prefer having nitrite under 5 ppm because it's easier to track day to day changes. Nothing is more frustrating than seeing your nitrite test for over 5 ppm for over a week because you have an enormous backlog of nitrite that's being very slowly processed.

my pH has been fluctuating but is typically 7.4 and hasnt gone lower. I think I'm gonna do a water change just to be safe. I know it differs but on average how long does a cycle take after this point?

 

I know it differs but on average how long does a cycle take after this point?

Is your ammonia being processed to 0 ppm within 24 hours, or it taking longer?

 

Is your ammonia being processed to 0 ppm within 24 hours, or it taking longer?

not sure, I skipped two days of water checks due to being busy. but 3 days ago it was at 2ppm

 

I’d say a week or two from here.

 

You want your ammonia and nitrites to be 0. Then you want your nitrates to be between 5-10ppm. That means you are cycled. What are you using to cycle?

 

You want your ammonia and nitrites to be 0. Then you want your nitrates to be between 5-10ppm. That means you are cycled. What are you using to cycle?

fishless cycle with pure ammonia, haven't been adding prime cause I thought it was pointless past 1ppm

 

I would say nitrates don’t have to be 5-10 to know you’re cycled though, just make sure they’re low when you add fish.

 

I would say nitrates don’t have to be 5-10 to know you’re cycled though, just make sure they’re low when you add fish.

I'm just rounding.

 

it cycled 1ppm of ammonia in less than 24 hours, but the nitrites are still insane even after a 50% water change