Cycle water change

[fishy103]

Hello, I started my fishless cycle in my aquarium 2 weeks ago. However ammonia is at around 0 but my nitrite is at 5+ ppm, can I do a water change to speed up the cycle or should the bacteria lower this pretty fast? Thanks :)

 

[fishy103]

Hello, I started my fishless cycle in my aquarium 2 weeks ago. However ammonia is at around 0 but my nitrite is at 5+ ppm, can I do a water change to speed up the cycle or should the bacteria lower this pretty fast? Thanks :)

I should add I already used 1/2 of a bottle of brightwell aquatics 15x strength nitrifying bacteria over the past week.

 

[Reef.]

Did you add ammonia?

 

[twentyleagues]

Nitrite is not an issue in saltwater. I would not do a water change but let the cycle continue. You would be fine to start adding fish slowly now. That is what most will tell you and it is true. I waited for the entire cycle to "complete" I was not in a rush to add anything to the tank. I did add some fish food (reef roids) to the cycle when I noticed nitrite taking a while to come down. I saw a drop in nitrite levels the next day not zero but about 1/2 as much, mine was also 5ppm. I did this every other day for 6 days and nitrite went down by about 1/2 whatever the number was after each add of food. I dont know if it was the organics or phosphates but it seemed to help. I added about a 1/4 tsp for 120g.

 

[fishy103]

Did you add ammonia?

Yes and no, I used food for that

 

[Reef.]

Yes and no, I used food for that

Good, what exactly did you add, which Brightwell produced as they have a lot?

 

[fishy103]

Good, what exactly did you add, which Brightwell produced as they have a lot?

I added 3 small cubes of frozen brine shrimp. And used “LIVE TANK STARTER NITRIFYING BIOCULTURE” bacteria I think it’s actually called MICROBACTER START XLM”

 

[Reef.]

I added 3 small cubes of frozen brine shrimp. And used “LIVE TANK STARTER NITRIFYING BIOCULTURE” bacteria I think it’s actually called MICROBACTER START XLM”

Just read the description on it, it does say it removes nitrite so with yours being so high I personally would not risk it yet, I would wait till nitrite is zero or do a ammonia test, add 2ppm of ammonia (dr Tim’s is a good one) wait 24 hours it should read zero ammonia.

 

[GARRIGA]

Once cycle completed for ammonia and nitrite then carbon dose post adding some phosphates to eliminate nitrates just like one used filtration to reduce the prior two.

 

[exnisstech]

Changing water will not speed things up. Are you testing nitrate? Nitrates is now all I test when I cycle a tank. When I see nitrates I begin slowly adding livestock.

 

[MnFish1]

There is no need for a water change - as others have said - a nitrate level is also important. The good news is - your nitrite (assuming you're using the test correctly) - will come down. Have you double checked it with another test kit - lets say an LFS, etc?

 

[fishy103]

There is no need for a water change - as others have said - a nitrate level is also important. The good news is - your nitrite (assuming you're using the test correctly) - will come down. Have you double checked it with another test kit - lets say an LFS, etc?

Thanks! I am using the test kit correctly and my cycle just finished! :)

 

[KCee]

Changing water will not speed things up. Are you testing nitrate? Nitrates is now all I test when I cycle a tank. When I see nitrates I begin slowly adding livestock.

What increments do you use? As far as time and /or livestock ? I had nitrates at 4ppm and added a clown and have been very anxious since then

 

[fishy103]

What increments do you use? As far as time and /or livestock ? I had nitrates at 4ppm and added a clown and have been very anxious since then

Those nitrates are fine maybe just a little extra algae as long as nitrites and ammonia are 0. ;)