Fishless Cycle Question

[paige]

I'm on Day 18 of my first ever fishless cycle. The ammonia dropped to zero on Day 11. My nitrites have dropped slightly and are now stuck between 1-2ppm. My nitrates are around 40ppm.

My pH has remained stable at 7.9, however my KH has dropped from 4dKH to 3dKH. Do I need to be concerned about it dropping? Today was the first time I've tested it since starting the cycle.

I've read the nitrite part can take much longer than the ammonia part, is this true? If so, that stinks. I'm ready for fish!

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

It seems like your cycle is almost complete. The nitrites might reach zero in the next couple of days or so.

 

[paige]

So no need to worry about the KH dropping? I tested the nitrites this afternoon and they were 0.50...but I try to test at the same time every day to be more accurate -- in the evenings. So when I did my "official" test tonight it was higher. I got all excited too.

 

[Pure]

I would say you are doing pretty good for day 18.

 

[FroggyFox]

Yep...sounds like everything is on track. The high nitrates is a great sign that everything is progressing, they'll most likely get a LOT higher than that before the nitrites hit 0. The nitrite part does take longer than the ammonia part usually. Hang in there! The patience is worth it!

 

[JWright]

If your ammonia has reached 0, it's time to add more.

You don't want your ammonia eating bacteria to die before your nitrite eating bacteria grow.

 

[FroggyFox]

ohh I was hoping that they meant it started dropping to 0 after day 11...not that it had gotten to 0 and stayed there...

 

[paige]

I add ammonia every morning. I test my water at night and for the past week my ammonia readings are staying at zero...that's a good thing.

 

[FroggyFox]

good good lol Jwright got me panicking for you there for a minute