Question: [Cycling advice] 14 days of nitrite spiking

[BinaryRun]

Hi guys,

I'm now a little over 3 weeks into my cycle, nitrite has been spiking about 1PPM for the entire period. (Using JBL Liquid tests, which tests up to 1PPM max. with nitrite, rest is off-chart) Brown algae also joined my fish-less cycle, due to the high nitrite.

When can I expect it to finally drop? I'm running out of patience, want my Axie =]

 

[leandrah]

Do you have ornaments in the tank and substrate?

 

[BinaryRun]

Do you have ornaments in the tank and substrate?

No ornaments or substrate. However I do have a couple of live plants. I also installed the heater that came with it a few days ago, to help speed up the progress. (I heard that the bacteria grow faster at 29C / 85F)

Of course I will remove the heater and lower the temperature back after the cycling is over and before the axie moves in.

 

[Kaini]

Butttt you have a filter right? The bacteria need somewhere to live xD

The bacteria that get rid of the nitrite (nitrobacter I believe? I get them backwards) takes longer to colonize and is more fragile in my opinion. This stage of the cycle always takes the longest, you just have to be patient. Maybe adding decorations or an (axie safe) substrate might help by giving the bacteria more places to colonize.

 

[BinaryRun]

Butttt you have a filter right? The bacteria need somewhere to live xD

The bacteria that get rid of the nitrite (nitrobacter I believe? I get them backwards) takes longer to colonize and is more fragile in my opinion. This stage of the cycle always takes the longest, you just have to be patient. Maybe adding decorations or an (axie safe) substrate might help by giving the bacteria more places to colonize.

Of course, I got a nice Aquaclear HOB (on full speed until the axies arrive) with a normal + carbon & biofilter

I was advised by the store to not buy substrate yet, due to the small size of the axie offspring.

 

[Kaini]

Probably best if they are teeny, I kept Zion on bare bottom until he was bigger! So just be patient.

 

[BinaryRun]

Probably best if they are teeny, I kept Zion on bare bottom until he was bigger! So just be patient.

Thanks for your advice, finally figured out how to give you some rep. xD

Is it correct that with nitrite stage the cycling can be done from one day into the other? (Meaning off the chart 1 day and then no nitrite at all / completed the next day?)

 

[Kaini]

Thanks for your advice, finally figured out how to give you some rep. xD

Is it correct that with nitrite stage the cycling can be done from one day into the other? (Meaning off the chart 1 day and then no nitrite at all / completed the next day?)

Aww thank you, but just for future reference if you have no rep, you give no rep. So what you gave me was neutral rep rather than pos rep :>


In my experience, yes XD You just test one day and suddenly it's all gone, it's actually a pretty cool feeling. MY TANK IS CYCLED! I love it.