First time doing fishless cycle using Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride - help

[wintrmte]

Hi All -

I have setup a new RedSea Nanomax XXL and this is the first time doing a fishless cycle, so I bought the Dr. Tims nitrifying bacteria, and the Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride. Previously I had always floated shrimp in the tank and suffered through the stink in the house.. lol

I followed the stickied post here on the forum, and I'm on Day 10 of my cycle - using the Hanna tester (i Just switched to this a couple days ago, away from teh RedSea testing kit) my Ammonia was 0.08 but my Nitrites are so high the Hanna checker flashes 800 ppb.. My Nitrates are about 18. But, following the guide here, I dosed more Ammonia up to 2ppm because the ammonia is so low.

One thing I forgot to do was turn on my mp40's during the cycle, but I had been running my return pumps and skimmer without the collection cup throughout the cycle.

I'm worried about my Nitrites being so high - is this cause for concern?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[DmitryB]

According to people much smarter than me, Nitrites are NOT toxic in saltwater aquariums. That's a freshwater problem.

 

[Bear22]

Having used Dr. Tim's to cycle my last aquarium I wouldn't worry about the nitrites at all. If ammonia is measured at very low levels or not at all you should be good to go (assuming you first measured no nitrates followed by measurable nitrates).

 

[DmitryB]

I trust @Randy Holmes-Farley on these issues, and have my Nitrates normal ceiling at 50ppm.

 

[wintrmte]

Thank you for the replies - I'm not really worried about the Nitrates, I'm more worried I hosed up my cycle because my Nitrites are through the roof to the moon it seems. :(

 

[DmitryB]

Thank you for the replies - I'm not really worried about the Nitrates, I'm more worried I hosed up my cycle because my Nitrites are through the roof to the moon it seems. :(

I think your Nitrites can go past the Moon and to Mars and be ok.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you for the replies - I'm not really worried about the Nitrates, I'm more worried I hosed up my cycle because my Nitrites are through the roof to the moon it seems. :(

Toss the nitrite test kit in the trash bin, you don't need it at all; nitrite is not hurting your cycle

Here's the article on why nitrite isn't a problem in saltwater:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm

Good luck with your build!