12 Hours To Zero

[**sarahp**]

My cycle finished on Friday - finally got zero on my nitrItes after 2 weeks of it being off the scale

However, I noticed that the ammonia conversion seemed to be taking longer than it had previously. I did some research and discovered that ph leveles may be to blame as mine had gone from 7.6 to 6.4. So on sunday i did a 50% water change, got ph back up to 7.6 . I added some ammonia to make sure the bacteria didn't starve then left the tank to settle again. Then at 8 am today I took the ammonia back up to 5ppm. Have just tested the water and it is currently ammonia 0.5ppm and nitrIte is 1ppm. Its definitley falling so te cycle hasn't stalled but is it crucial that the ammonia and nitrite are not disappearing in the required 12 hours or is and hour or so not a major problem??

I will test again before I go to bed, but at the moment its been 12 hours and I dont have zeros yet

ETA - 10.20pm - Ammonia 0ppm, nitrIte 1ppm what do you think??

 

[dthoffsett]

I think it isn't fully cycled. This has happened to me and others on here before, your levels read the tank is cycled, do your big water change, and suddenly you're getting ammonia and nitrite readings again. I suggest continue adding ammonia for another week, even if your numbers go to zero again, before adding fish.

 

[doresy]

This is a fine example of why it is not a good idea to rush out and get fish the moment you get that longed for zero-zero reading

You are almost there so don't spoil it now.

It HAS to be back to zero-zero before that big water change and fish....ok?

Keep the ammonia up then down untill those pesky nitrItes are down to zero and stay there

 

[**sarahp**]

Huuuum tis a bit of a bugger but I was going to do a week of making sure anyway so its not the end of the world - just very annoying. Wonder why its doing it though?? I am getting zero's just not in the right time frame Oh well - will keep going - its better to be safe than sorry

 

[Behold]

I too thought i was at zero's i did a large water change and the amonia takes 10 hours or so and the nitrite is not droping below 2ppm in 12

Back to waiting some more.

Least my tank is not yellow now!!!

 

[**sarahp**]

Least my tank is not yellow now!!!

Well its always good to look on the bright side


At least I'm not the only one with a minor blip in proceedings

 

[Behold]

Least my tank is not yellow now!!!

Well its always good to look on the bright side


At least I'm not the only one with a minor blip in proceedings

Yeah.... i put in the bog wood then realise boil it first not just was to stop it leaking!!!! Do'h

Im hoping it will only take 2-3 days too re settle and then ill be good to take a trip.