Water Quality

[jeff_hopkinson]

Hi, while doing a cycle why has the nitrite surged again after it fell to zero and how long does it take to fall again, most confusing. and secondly is it true that by adding peat to the filter it helps to bring the p.h. down i heard it was a better way than using p.h.down.

 

[thegnu]

there are many reasons why you could experience this. stocking too quickly, over feeding or a fish death that hasn't been noticed and left in the tank. these things could all mean you could have a mini cycle develop. the bacteria needs time to multiply so it can deal with any sudden extra burden it has placed on it with more ammonia-nitrite. in a new tank set up things have to move slowly.
peat is a good way to lower a pH. i place some in a nylon stocking tied up and left for two days in a 20L bucket of water for my water changes. sphagnum moss peat is the best as its pure. when the peat no longer stains the water i throw away the stocking and fill a new one

 

[jeff_hopkinson]

there are many reasons why you could experience this. stocking too quickly, over feeding or a fish death that hasn't been noticed and left in the tank. these things could all mean you could have a mini cycle develop. the bacteria needs time to multiply so it can deal with any sudden extra burden it has placed on it with more ammonia-nitrite. in a new tank set up things have to move slowly.
peat is a good way to lower a pH. i place some in a nylon stocking tied up and left for two days in a 20L bucket of water for my water changes. sphagnum moss peat is the best as its pure. when the peat no longer stains the water i throw away the stocking and fill a new one

Thanks thegnu, but my tank has no fish in it i was doing a fishless cycle then last monday the nitrate dropped to zero then on tues morning the nitrite was back.

there are many reasons why you could experience this. stocking too quickly, over feeding or a fish death that hasn't been noticed and left in the tank. these things could all mean you could have a mini cycle develop. the bacteria needs time to multiply so it can deal with any sudden extra burden it has placed on it with more ammonia-nitrite. in a new tank set up things have to move slowly.
peat is a good way to lower a pH. i place some in a nylon stocking tied up and left for two days in a 20L bucket of water for my water changes. sphagnum moss peat is the best as its pure. when the peat no longer stains the water i throw away the stocking and fill a new one

Thanks thegnu, but my tank has no fish in it i was doing a fishless cycle then last monday the nitrate dropped to zero then on tues morning the nitrite was back.

sorry about the misprint.

 

[rdd1952]

then last monday the nitrate dropped to zero then on tues morning the nitrite was back.

Do you mean the nitrite dropped to 0 and then was back the next morning? That actually wouldn't be too uncommon if you added more ammonia the night before. It would have to completely process through. If it came back and still hasn't gone back down then it would appear that something is wrong.