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 Verified Community Expert]

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 Verified Community Expert]

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.

 

[sgdnycct]

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

Are you saying you added more ammonia and the test result is how high it is after addition?

If so, it needs to come down fast to show the nitrification process is working (ie you have a healthy bacteria load). If it’s staying well above zero then you don’t have enough bacteria.

Test again in a couple of hours. If it’s coming down noticeably then you’re probably good.

+1 on good test kits. Stay away from API. This is an expensive hobby and a good test kit will save you a lot of pain, animal suffering and money.

 

[Uncle99]

When my ammonia drops to zero and I show nitrates, I consider the system “cycle”, and I’ll add the first fish. You’re good to go.
I never tested for nitrites.
Those tests you have are not fine enough for trace amount stuff.