Nitrites

[littlenemo]

doing my cycle as stated on here add and wait. ammonia is dropping from 4 to 0 in about 10 hours now but my nitrites wont budge from purple api test. what can i do??? its been dropping from 4 to 0 ppm in

around 12 hours now for about 9 days

 

[Malawi MaD]

Someone else on here (few days back) had exactly the same problem with the same test kit, they didn't know why it was doing this, then roughly 4 days later the nitrites suddenly went to 0 straight away. More than likely a longer cycle or you could try a second test kit to make sure the API is legit

 

[littlenemo]

its just doing my head in now as nitrate is on 10..

 

[Prime Ordeal]

It's not called the 'add and wait' for nothing you know.

With this method your nitrite builds up into the high tens to low hundreds of ppm, depending on how long you keep dosing for, which is why your readings are always off the scale. Each cycle is different as to how fast it can clear that unnecessary nitrite, so expect a good deal more waiting.

 

[DBT85]

Would doing a large water change or three not being those nitrite levels down to something more sensible?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Would doing a large water change or three not being those nitrite levels down to something more sensible?

That's exactly what you can and should do.

 

[DBT85]

That's exactly what you can and should do.

Thought so

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Would doing a large water change or three not being those nitrite levels down to something more sensible?

If there were fish in the tank, definitely, but I think this is a stalled fishless cycle. At some point, the nitrite bacteria will show up to the party!

 

[Tizer]

me, i'd probably do a 50% water change, just for the hell of it.

 

[littlenemo]

conflicting info. as i was told not to do a water change with the add and wait cycle. some people say u should some say dont. any body really no there stuff please help.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Either way the cycle will work, so it's not such a big worry. But, by not changing water to keep the nitrite under control (i.e. at measurable levels with our kit and not off the chart) you add anything up to a week to the cycle.

 

[Tizer]

conflicting info. as i was told not to do a water change with the add and wait cycle. some people say u should some say dont. any body really no there stuff please help.

Lol. na, nobody here knows anything, its all just guesswork. honest.

 

[soybean]

If there aren't any fish in the tank you don't NEED to change any water, it's entirely up to you. I wouldn't, personally, because the cycle WILL come together at some point. That and I'm lazy.

 

[littlenemo]

lol tizer. so if it was you would u do a 50% water change???

 

[Tizer]

me, i'd probably do a 50% water change, just for the hell of it.

lol tizer. so if it was you would u do a 50% water change???

WHAT