Question on cycling.

[albertes]

I’ve been cycling my 36 gallon aquarium for 32 days already and the nitrite is still not at zero. I started the Fritz turbo start on day 15 and added 2 clownfish on day 20. I had the protein skimmer off for the first 5 days of turbo start. Like the instructions said. The nitrite has stalled around .25ppm -50ppm for the last 5 days. Ammonia has been at zero for 12 days already. Nitrate has been between 5.0 ppm to 10 pmm since day 13 till now. The test kit is api. I have CaribSea Arag-Alive 40 lb Fiji Pink Sand and 40 pounds of dry rocks and 10lb of Carib sea liferock dry live rock. The salinity is at 25 and the temp at 76. Should I do a water change?

 

[Elira_6301]

My nitrites have been staying high. I did a 50% water change and added stability. I've had to do this multiple times. OK more than multiple. I've had my tanks for months. But if your nitrites are stalled, you could just wait it out.

Is it ppm or ppb?

 

[albertes]

My nitrites have been staying high. I did a 50% water change and added stability. I've had to do this multiple times. OK more than multiple. I've had my tanks for months. But if your nitrites are stalled, you could just wait it out.

Is it ppm or ppb?

It’s ppm

 

[Elira_6301]

It’s ppm

Do a 50 percent water change. Don't add any additional turbo or nitrfying bacteria. See if it helps. Thats what I did to lower mine. And its finally stabilized.

 

[Elira_6301]

It’s ppm

Oh, and make sure you don't have anything decaying.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

API kits are not the best.... if ammonia is zero and nitrates are 10, to me this is a cycled tank. I would stop testing ammonia and nitrite, and get a better nitrate test kit, don't use API.

 

[Elira_6301]

API kits are not the best.... if ammonia is zero and nitrates are 10, to me this is a cycled tank. I would stop testing ammonia and nitrite, and get a better nitrate test kit, don't use API.

Agreed. I use Hanna Master kit.