Fishless Cycle

[chich]

just wondering how long will it take nitrites to go down to 0ppm in my tank? its a 50gal and the nitrites have been at the highest ppm which is 6 for about 3 days anyone have any idea how long it would take?

 

[chich]

update:
i added used filter media and put a bit of used substrate to soak in the tank nitrites are still at 2ppm. have been doing water changes how can i get them lower quicker?

 

[scubadoo]

I dont think that there's any real quick fix to this.

I'm at about the same stage with my cycle.

The bacteria that convert nitrItes to nitrates take longer to develop than the ammonia munchers. It is likely to take 7 - 10 days from when you started getting high nitrite readings - if all goes to plan. Apparently though, the nitrite reading will just drop very quickly (like overnight) from sky high to zero (in theory).

Part of the process is that in order to feed your ammonia munchers, you keep adding ammonia regularly, so the nitrite concentrations keep getting higher daily as the ammo munchers do their thing. This is why it takes a bit longer for the nitrite munchers to develop to the point that they will lower your nitrite readings quickly.

Hope it helps and hang in there.

 

[Cheffi]

It could be tomorrow or a weeks time. However I will say that what happened to mine and I've read to a lot of other members is that it will be sky high in the evening and it can have dropped to zero by the next morning. Just hang in there

 

[chich]

ok cant wait this is the worst part about getting a new tank lol

 

[Cheffi]

ok cant wait this is the worst part about getting a new tank lol

Definately!!!