New fishless cycle HelloReef 15g AIO has low Ammonia/High Nitrite

[Sunnlion]

Started a new HelloReef Clownfish and Anemone Aquarium about 3 weeks ago. Going through the fishless cycle according to instructions provided by HelloReef. They seem to indicate that after adding Dr Tim's, the cycle would be complete in about a week. Ammonia and Nitrites both spiked the first week. Ammonia has finally dropped to a lower level this week, but Nitrites remain high. I did a 25% water change. Should I just continue to be patient, or are there steps I should take to make sure I cycle properly before adding a clean up crew? Thank you in advance.

 

[Fish Fan]

Hello!

They lied to you ;-) Dr. Tim's is a very good product, but it tends to take three or even four weeks to complete in initial nitrogen cycle.

You're on the right track, your ammonia was up and is now going down, and you're seeing nitrites go up, so I would say cycle in process.

I would suggest being patient, don't do any further water changes until the cycle is complete, you should be fine in a couple of weeks give or take.

Good luck!

 

[Tahoe61]

You're almost there. Cycling can take much longer than advertised.

 

[Freenow54]

Started a new HelloReef Clownfish and Anemone Aquarium about 3 weeks ago. Going through the fishless cycle according to instructions provided by HelloReef. They seem to indicate that after adding Dr Tim's, the cycle would be complete in about a week. Ammonia and Nitrites both spiked the first week. Ammonia has finally dropped to a lower level this week, but Nitrites remain high. I did a 25% water change. Should I just continue to be patient, or are there steps I should take to make sure I cycle properly before adding a clean up crew? Thank you in advance.

A week? not a chance. I posted an article I followed states 45 days

 

[_Jake_Simek_]

Started a new HelloReef Clownfish and Anemone Aquarium about 3 weeks ago. Going through the fishless cycle according to instructions provided by HelloReef. They seem to indicate that after adding Dr Tim's, the cycle would be complete in about a week. Ammonia and Nitrites both spiked the first week. Ammonia has finally dropped to a lower level this week, but Nitrites remain high. I did a 25% water change. Should I just continue to be patient, or are there steps I should take to make sure I cycle properly before adding a clean up crew? Thank you in advance.

A one week cycle pretty much never happens. You are definitely on the right path if you have Nitrite only now. Continue to wait until Ammonia and Nitrite read 0. As with everything in this hobby, be patient, or you will only make it worse for yourself in the future.

 

[dms99]

Be patient. I was stuck on nitrite as well for a month after two Dr. Tims one and only. Went to my local fish store and they said sometimes the secondary bacteria (Nitrite to Nitrate) in Dr. Tims is not strong enough. They recommended Seachem Pristine and it worked like magic for me.

Try Peistine and wait for Nitrite and Nitrate to be 0 PPM, do a 75% water change, then introduce live stock.