Hooray!

[Mikeco]

Finally, today ammonia read 0 for the first time since I started this. It was hard to put more back in cause I liked seeing it a zero. But I want to do this right so now I will time it to see it gone in aprx 12 hours. I am not the most patient man but am happy I have followed this forums advice. Time to start thinking about what is going to be living in my new aquarium as I feel we are really getting close to claiming it "cycled". Thanks for all the help!

 

[leighton_87]

Congrats on the nil ammonia!

Not wanting to burst the bubble but have you been checking nitrite as well? Getting ammonia to nil is part 1 of the cycle and nitrite is part 2 - don't be disheartened if you haven't as part 2 shouldn't take as long as part one. You're nearly there!

 

[Mikeco]

Yes. The nitrite has gone very high and now nitrates are on the rise.

 

[David J]

You'll need the nitrite to drop to zero in 12 hours just as with the ammonia. Nitrates are dealt with through a large water change at the end. I'm still waiting on my nitrites to drop to zero. It's taking a while. I'm at about 4 weeks total time since starting my cycle. I suppose that's not a long time really but like you, I'm impatient but determined to do it right.

I hope your done soon.

David

 

[Mikeco]

Thanks. Just so I am clear, the nitrite and the ammonia must drop to zero at the same time? Or do I allow it to continue once the ammonia drops back to zero again to see how long it takes the nitrite drop after?

 

[snazy]

Yes, ammonia and nitrIte have to clear for 24 hours max, some say 12.
I wouldn't test nitrAtes when you have nitrItes in the water because most tests convert nitrAtes to nitrItes in order to test nitrAtes and when there are nitrItes present, the test most likely will show you nitrAtes too even when there's none yet.

 

[Mikeco]

Thank you. I will now stare at my fishless tank with a stopwatch in hand! Just kidding, I am excited.

 

[Mikeco]

The ammonia is dropping to zero and the nitrites are between 2 and 5. I bring the ammonia back up everyday, approximately how long will this last before the nitrites fall off to zero also? (it took about four weeks for the ammonia part) I will wait it out but I am really anxious. Thanks. Mike.

I just read the post above mine, same question. Sorry.

 

[daveyjay1]

Ha ha, I am in exactly the same position as you - waiting for my Nitrites to start falling - lets hope it happens for both of us soon!
 
Good luck
 
Dave

 

[Mikeco]

Wanna race? lol Good luck, it is hard to not just go get some fish.

 

[daveyjay1]

Yes, let's race!!

 

[DreamertK]

Congratz on part one of two of finishing your cycles!
 
I found that the NO2 went away in two or three weeks for me, but I was also doing a fish cycle.

Its a lot harder to not concentrate on how long it's taking when you're testing the water multiple times a day.

 

[Mikeco]

Hooray Again! Today it (nitrite) shows between .25 and zero. Maybe tomorrow should I do the big water change and call it done?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'd give it a few days of hitting zero in a row before calling it complete.  What dose are you adding of ammonia daily?

 

[Mikeco]

I have a 39 gallon tank. I have been adding about 6ml a day which brings it up to between 2 and 4.