Adding more ammonia during cycle

[FishBoyJay]

Day 8 of cycle. My ammonia is at 0. My nitrites are still high. Should i add more ammonia or just keep dosing only bacteria daily?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If you added 2 ppm ammonia and it declined, I would not add more bacteria or more ammonia. You are effectively cycled to slowly add fish.

The nitrite level is unimportant. Unlike freshwater, where it is a concern, it takes hundreds of ppm nitrite to kill a marine fish.

 

[sgdnycct]

Hard to tell on colors. If Nitrites peaked it’s fine. If you add ammonia and it stays at or near 0 then you’re good to go. Nitrites aren’t toxic to Marine fish- but I’d say you want them to peak just to prove the nitrification cycle is complete.

 

[FishBoyJay]

Yes i started with 2 ppm ammonia. Followed ml instructions to dose 60g tank aswell. Test picture is hard to tell color again.

Should i be worried at all about the nitrates/nitrites? They most certainly have peaked as earlier this week there was hardly any.

I should see a decline in nitrites i thought before cycle was complete? Idk ive researched so much lately my brains getting foggy

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Don't you have API nitrite and nitrate tests? Why are you using the test strip? Its made for both fresh and saltwater, how accurate can it be?

I'm not a believer in repeatedly adding ammonia. Once is enough.... maybe a second time to test it if you don't believe your tester the first time.

As mentioned above, nitrite is harmless in a reef tank, but if you want then wait for it to come down, it will eventually.

 

[FishBoyJay]

I dont currently have those 2 test kits. I guess i should look into grabbing them instead of these test strips... rookie reefer. Learning the ways.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I should see a decline in nitrites i thought before cycle was complete? Idk ive researched so much lately my brains getting foggy

That's the traditional lore, but I think it is a hobby myth to worry about nitrite. It's just a nonissue in seawater.