Nitrites Not Rising?

[Silverlady]

How much Ammonia are you adding each time,i am wondering if perhaps you are not adding enough. try putting in double your previous amount for a day ,see if that makes any difference.
Tsi user. My 30 gallon took 16 days, so you beat me to it.

 

[xoedusk]

What type of ammonia are you using? What are the ingredients? Does your physical filter have an ammonia-reducing layer in there? Are you using Ammo-Lock? Water changes?

 

[PA_fishlover]

I've been adding enough ammonia to make it 4ppm each time. The ammonia I am using is pure ammonia.

This morning when I tested, my ammonia was zero, my nitrite was zero, and my nitrates are around 80! Looks like it's finally coming around. Guess this means that I'm almost done? Just surprised that the nitrites never really went off the charts.

Thanks for all the help.

I do have another question. When I finally do the big water change before adding fish, do I have to scrub all the brown algae off the sides of the tank? Or will that disappear on it's own? It's all over the plants and gravel and ornaments as well.

Thanks again!

 

[Lord Zogat]

i say wait too - mine took ages, at least 6 weeks before it all settled down
it is frustrating though!

Crikie, I am at 6 weeks and no massive drop or nitrites, or nitrates.

 

[xoedusk]

I'm getting totally frustrated and about to drain all my water in the tank and start over.

Aren't you glad you didn't do this? Congrats on a cycled tank.

Mine cycling tank (see my signature for a link) may be beginning to do the same, now! I'm using the same test kit as yours (API Freshwater Master Test Kit). No change in nitrites for one day, but nitrates are on the rise.

Very intereseting...

Read Egmel's post on my fishless cycle page to see what he said about the API test and sticky nitrites.