Nitrites

[bymauldin]

I was just wondering when I should start noticing Nitrites in my tank. I'm on my 5th day of fishless cycling and I started cycling with the "Add Daily" method. The first day I raised my ammonia to about 5ppm. On the second and third day I couldn't remember how much ammonia I had put in there the day before so I only added about 5 or 6 drops. I tested the ammonia on the 3rd day and it was only around 3ppm so I added enough to raise it again to around 5ppm. I tested the ammonia again today and it was only at around 2ppm so I added more ammonia. I haven't tested it again to see exactly where it's at right now since I've added more. I tested my Nitrites and it's reading 0. When will I start to notice Nitrites in my tank? My second question is...am I cycling right? Since I started with the "Add Daily" I figured my ammonia should be through the roof...I guess with me forgeting how much to put in there my 2nd and 3rd day kind of screwed me up. Should I continue as I'm going or should I switch to the "Add and Wait" and just continue raising my ammonia to about 5ppm every time it drops to about 1 or 2ppm? I hope I haven't screwed up too terribly bad.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Majjie]

I don't think you're doing too badly at all. Just keep going as you are - topping up the ammonia to 5 ppm whenever it drops. If the levels get much higher than that it can, I think, cause the cycling to slow down.

The amount of time it takes to get nitrite produced varies a lot - depending on your water conditions and whether or not you had any source of nitrifying bacteria - but it's still early days yet, I'm afraid. The one thing you need for fishless cycling - is patience

 

[lym]

I'm doing the same method as you, I'm on day 8 of my cycle and my tank first showed signs of Nitrites yesterday.

 

[bymauldin]

Okay. Thanks. I was just wanting to make sure I hadn't screwed it all up. Cycling takes long enough as it is. Doesn't need me doing anything stupid to slow it down.