Risk of High Nitrite Stalling Cycle?

Hello!

I've been doing a fishless cycle for 12 days now dosing pure ammonia, and my ammonia is being converted from 2ppm to 0ppm in around 48 hours at the moment. My nitrites are slower to drop. I'm a bit concerned that my nitrites look to be maxed out (the API test kit is very hard to read when nitrites get between 2 and 5 ppm). I've read that high nitrites can stall a cycle, and am wondering if anyone would advise still adding more ammonia for the bacteria since it is currently at 0. Will the nitrites get to a high enough level to stall things out?

Thanks!

 

Hello!

I've been doing a fishless cycle for 12 days now dosing pure ammonia, and my ammonia is being converted from 2ppm to 0ppm in around 48 hours at the moment. My nitrites are slower to drop. I'm a bit concerned that my nitrites look to be maxed out (the API test kit is very hard to read when nitrites get between 2 and 5 ppm). I've read that high nitrites can stall a cycle, and am wondering if anyone would advise still adding more ammonia for the bacteria since it is currently at 0. Will the nitrites get to a high enough level to stall things out?

Thanks!

If they aren't reading 5ppm they won't stall your cycle. If they do reach 5ppm, just do a 50% water change to keep them at less than 5. Adding Tetra Safe start at this time might significantly speed up your cycle.

 

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If they aren't reading 5ppm they won't stall your cycle. If they do reach 5ppm, just do a 50% water change to keep them at less than 5. Adding Tetra Safe start at this time might significantly speed up your cycle.

Interesting. I’ll do a water change right now. And I actually added TSS on day 1. It’s gotten me this far in just 12 days, much faster than expected

If they aren't reading 5ppm they won't stall your cycle. If they do reach 5ppm, just do a 50% water change to keep them at less than 5. Adding Tetra Safe start at this time might significantly speed up your cycle.

Just bought the nitrite down to about 0.75ppm with a 50% water change. Would you advise another dose of ammonia up to 2ppm?

 

Just bought the nitrite down to about 0.75ppm with a 50% water change. Would you advise another dose of ammonia up to 2ppm?

Yes. Keep feeding those bacteria. Your cycle is going great!

 

Yes. Keep feeding those bacteria. Your cycle is going great!

Beautiful, thanks a lot