I’m cycling my tank I’m on day 12 my ammonia is zero my nitrite is around 2, 4 ppm and my nitrate is around 100 probably more do I keep dosing ammonia

[tiny9026]

I’m cycling my tank I’m on day 12 my ammonia is zero my nitrite is around 2, 4 ppm and my nitrate is around 100 probably more do I keep dosing ammonia or do I wait until nitrite hits zero.

 

[eelman07]

How are you testing for Nitrate? I doubt it is actually that high. When you have 0 nitrite 0 ammonia and some nitrate then your tank is cycled and you are ready to add fish not dose more ammonia.

 

[Extremeengineer]

If your Nitrate is really>100, then I would start with a water change. You'll probably need more than one at that Nitrate level. What size tank, how much Ammonia and how often are you dosing? What I would do is a 50% water change, then retest, but stop dosing.

 

[tiny9026]

If your Nitrate is really>100, then I would start with a water change. You'll probably need more than one at that Nitrate level. What size tank, how much Ammonia and how often are you dosing? What I would do is a 50% water change, then retest, but stop dosing.

Is a 8 gallon tank should I take out around 4 or 5 gallons ?

 

[Dburr1014]

I’m cycling my tank I’m on day 12 my ammonia is zero my nitrite is around 2, 4 ppm and my nitrate is around 100 probably more do I keep dosing ammonia or do I wait until nitrite hits zero.

Nitrate reading is squed because of the nitrite. It's not real.

 

[eelman07]

Is a 8 gallon tank should I take out around 4 or 5 gallons ?

I would retest nitrate before you do a water change.

 

[tiny9026]

I would retest nitrate before you do a water change.

I’m going to test right now ima send the picture of the color

 

[Extremeengineer]

Is a 8 gallon tank should I take out around 4 or 5 gallons ?

I'd agree with the others to verify your nitrate reading. What kind of test kit are you using? If you are cycling, and making Nitrate, then doing a water change won't hurt, you'll have to start that at some point anyway.

 

[tiny9026]

I'd agree with the others to verify your nitrate reading. What kind of test kit are you using? If you are cycling, and making Nitrate, then doing a water change won't hurt, you'll have to start that at some point anyway.

Im using salifert test

 

[Dburr1014]

I’m going to test right now ima send the picture of the color

Don't take my word for it.
Here is randy holmes farley talking about it.

Post in thread 'Cycling Help' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-help.1052900/post-12503916

 

[Extremeengineer]

Im using salifert test

You could also try a dilution test, I do not use Salifert, I use Red Sea, so I am not certain of the accuracy of this, but I believe it is:

80% RODI water, e.g.; 8ml RODI / 2ml tank.
Use same 1ml sampling, 4 drops & 1 spoon.
Multiply results by 5

 

[Dburr1014]

You could also try a dilution test, I do not use Salifert, I use Red Sea, so I am not certain of the accuracy of this, but I believe it is:

80% RODI water, e.g.; 8ml RODI / 2ml tank.
Use same 1ml sampling, 4 drops & 1 spoon.
Multiply results by 5

You are leading him down a dead end.

 

[Extremeengineer]

Don't take my word for it.
Here is randy holmes farley talking about it.

Post in thread 'Cycling Help' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-help.1052900/post-12503916

So if you use the dilution will you get a more accurate result, or will diluted Nitrite still throw off the Nitrates?

 

[tiny9026]

I'd agree with the others to verify your nitrate reading. What kind of test kit are you using? If you are cycling, and making Nitrate, then doing a water change won't hurt, you'll have to start that at some point anyway.

 

[Dburr1014]

So if you use the dilution will you get a more accurate result, or will diluted Nitrite still throw off the Nitrates?

Yes, it's like 10x

 

[Dburr1014]

Not real

 

[tiny9026]

Not real

So what should I do just let the cycle still go and wait untill nitrite drops

 

[Extremeengineer]

Yes, it's like 10x

Thanks, so then what is the next step? I assume you want to stop dosing, is using a different test method for Nitrates an option?

 

[Dburr1014]

So what should I do just let the cycle still go and wait untill nitrite drops

It will be fully cycled when the nitrite hits zero.
At this point I think some people would start adding a small fish as long as the ammonia is getting processed.

 

[eelman07]

Agreed I would wait till nitrite drops to 0 and then test if the nitrate is lower then you are ready for fish. Dont dose anymore ammonia