Dr Tim's cycling nitrite not going down

[bombilate]

Sorry, I’m following two of these and got yours mixed up.

But the initial paragraph stands - from the numbers you post the 40ppm nitrate isn’t really possible because not enough ammonia has been added to cause it so you are getting some interference.

As others have said though - nitrite isn’t the same issue in reef tanks as it is in freshwater. If you have nitrites then your ammonia is being processed which of the critical part.

Yes it started 0 nitrite and went up so it's working but I'm thinking the cycle has stalled as it's not changed for a few days now usually I should be able to add fish by now

 

[Dburr1014]

I don't think you're stalled I think you're working very nicely, I think it's also safe to add a fish. I would probably do a small 20% water change and start reefing.

 

[bombilate]

But surely I shouldn't be seeing 1ppm nitrite it should be 0 especially after 10 days it should be at least dropping I haven't added ammonia for around a week now. Based from others it should be pretty much 0 nitrite now

 

[Dburr1014]

But surely I shouldn't be seeing 1ppm nitrite it should be 0 especially after 10 days it should be at least dropping I haven't added ammonia for around a week now. Based from others it should be pretty much 0 nitrite now

Or, it's testing error. 1ppm is basically a zero.

 

[Uncle99]

But surely I shouldn't be seeing 1ppm nitrite it should be 0 especially after 10 days it should be at least dropping I haven't added ammonia for around a week now. Based from others it should be pretty much 0 nitrite now

You have been cycled for more than a week.
But you can wait if you like.
Won’t hurt at all.

Most testing for these are very inaccurate and we’re not made to be precise.

I have a customer still cycling 14 weeks, but he’s happy to wait for the zero.

 

[bombilate]

You reckon maybe do 20 percent water change and add some cuc

 

[bombilate]

I did 5 percent water change and added some filter floss and a sponge to the rear chamber once nitrite starts dropping il do 25 percent water change. Just want to see if a tiny water change and adding the floss and sponge make a difference

 

[danreef55]

If your nitrate level is low, I would not do a water change. Do you have a skimmer?
Suggest:

1. Get another test kit for nitrate.
2. Introduce a fish
3. stop adding ammonia
4. Breath

 

[bombilate]

Nitrate today was about 80 apparently though could be false due to high nitrite