Question On Cycling Help

[navvet8992]

I am on day 13 of cycling my 55 gal. tank. Just got a liquid test kit and readings are
9/8 - ph-7.2
ammonia - 0
nitrite - .5
nitrate - 10

9/9 - ph- 6.8
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 1.0
nitrate- 10

I believe i am half way thru the cycle but my question is this,
Shouldn't my nitrates be higher than this or will my nitrites start going up more before i see the nitrates rise. right now nitrite is only at 1.0 also how long does it take for the nitrites to spike and then fall as the nitrates start going up? Thanks for everyones help.

 

[Corleone]

Are you cycling with or without fish? With fish, the water changes necessary (nitrite should be kept lower - under .25, preferably, but it's often more forgiving than ammonia) tend to keep nitrate low. It's not unusual to go through one never getting a meaningful nitrate level.

If it's a fishless cycle, the test could be off - if it's the API test, make sure you thoroughly follow the annoying steps like shaking the bottle and test tube for the recommended times. I've found skipping them, especially if the test has been left to sit for a while (like on the store shelf) causes unusually low readings.

 

[navvet8992]

i am cycling with fish. so does these readings look normal for about 2 weeks into the cycle. Thanks for the help. any suggestions or otherwise, let me know.

 

[Corleone]

Looks like they're progressing quite well, since ammonia is 0. I'd do an extra water change and get nitrite down, as I said, under .25 is desirable.

 

[navvet8992]

thanks so much for your help