Day 28 Of Fishless Cycle

[rousell]

Hi guys
I'm on day 28 of fishless cycle. My ammonia is dropping from 3ppm to zero in around 12 hours and when I do the nitrite test, the drops are turning purple when they get to the bottom of the test tube. Ive been checking for nitrates for a week or so now and they are always 5ppm. When I started the cycle I tested my tap water and got a result of 5ppm. I mentioned this on another thread because I was slightly worried and I was told to test it again. When I tested I still got the same result of 5ppm.
I can't understand why I keep getting the same results with the nitrate test? Surely this far into the cycle I should be seeing more nitrates. Can somebody tell me If I'm on the right path or do i need to be doing something different? Thanks

 

[CezzaXV]

You mentioned drops, so you're using a liquid test kit. Try bashing bottle number 2 against a table several times and shaking until your arm falls off. Nitrate test solution tends to solidify quite solidly which can lead to false low readings.

 

[rousell]

I'm using the api liquid test kit. I shake the bottle as hard as I can and yes my arm does feel like it's about to drop off when I've finished. I also give it a bang on the carpet. Maybe I need to involve a table like you said. I just hope nobody gets the wrong idea when they walk past my house.

 

[Welshweeks]

I just hope nobody gets the wrong idea when they walk past my house.

 

[rousell]

It would be nice to know where I am in the cycle? An I a long way off the finish line?

 

[rousell]

Is not doing the test properly the only reason why I'm not showing anymore nitrates? Help please

 

[rousell]

Anybody?

 

[CezzaXV]

You're in the second phase of your cycle, growing the nitrite eating bacteria. This generally takes twice as long to happen as the ammonia eating bacteria. Just relax. I know what it's like when it feels like your cycle is never going to end but just have faith that it will!

To me it seems unlikely that there is no nitrate being produced at all, so I'm inclined to say its a problem with the test. After a while I found it a useful activity to do a water change each day to stop the nitrite going much above 5ppm so I could see how much was actually being processed. It helps keep you sane when you can see something happening!

 

[rousell]

Thanks. I'll try and test again later when I check my ammonia. So if it's took me say 2-3 weeks to get my ammonia to turn into nitrites, your saying it will take me 4-6 weeks aswell as the the 2-3 weeks before my nitrites start processing to nitrates

 

[rousell]

Hi guys

Ive just tested everything again after 12 hour and here are my readings:
Ammonia 0.25 (redosed to 3ppm)
Nitrite off the chart
Nitrate 5ppm
Ph 7.4

I tried banging the table with the nitrate test and I'm still getting the same result. I'm starting to wonder if something has stalled. It's just strange that ammonia is being turned into nitrites but no nitrites are being turned into nitrates. Could I have done something wrong or am I being impatient ? Thanks

 

[CezzaXV]

Thanks. I'll try and test again later when I check my ammonia. So if it's took me say 2-3 weeks to get my ammonia to turn into nitrites, your saying it will take me 4-6 weeks aswell as the the 2-3 weeks before my nitrites start processing to nitrates

Not before it starts processing to nitrates, but it could be that long before it starts getting down to zero.

 

[Xraymark]

Your being impatient. Only redose to 2ppm of ammonia until your nitrites start to clear. Once your nitrites zero then up it to 3 then 4-5.
It's best to keep your nitrites measurable.