New Nitrite Level ?

[TabMorte]

Good luck Dwarf! I hope you're done!

 

[pwrmacG4]

thanks.. me too!

 

[pwrmacG4]

ok... it has been over 4hrs since huge water change and the nitrite level is only at .25 I would say that is a definate improvement.. by this time last night and the night before it would already have been maxed out!

 

[TabMorte]

Well that's good!!! You're making progress.

 

[pwrmacG4]

I will retest in the morning and post the update.. thanks for the support everyone..I appreciate it

 

[pwrmacG4]

ok.. this morning the level was at 2.0, not 5. I am still going to go and get the prime and hope it helps me. We'll see

 

[pwrmacG4]

UPDATE! this morning I went to my LFS and picked up a bottle of Prime. I also got them to give me 3 lbs of substrate to help my cycle along. I came home and got the water ready by adding the Aquasafe and Prime to the water and let it sit for about half hr. I put the chemicals in before I put the water in the container so that they would mix properly. I drained about 80% of the water and mixed in the new gravel. I didn't just put it on top. I placed my decor back in and refilled the tank. I also put my new second heater in while it was drained. about an hr after the water change.. the test results=
ammonia 0.0
nitrite 0.0
nitrates 5.0

what do you guys think?

 

[pwrmacG4]

another test result from just now.. 0.0 *twirlysmi

 

[TabMorte]

You won't need to use the AquaSafe with the prime. Prime decholorinates as well.

 

[pwrmacG4]

well.. I didn't know that.. thanks for the info.

what do you guys think about the readings?

 

[TabMorte]

You're doing better! Check it again in the morning.

 

[pwrmacG4]

another test just now.. and still 00000000000000.. by now before.. it would have been 2.0 it has been 4hrs.. sweet

 

[roark fishies]

I've been thinking you were a woman all this time til you mentioned a wife... Sorry
That was a HUGE spike. Mine never went that high. Maybe cuz you have more fish than I did with fish in cycling? Anyway, sounds like you're there. I'd keep testing every day for a few days just to make sure. yay! Cycling is so aggravating. Hopefully u r done.

 

[pwrmacG4]

yes I am a guy.. and married! I hope it is done cycling.. i can't stand it

 

[pwrmacG4]

I tested it again a little bit ago.. and still at 0. I will keep my fingers crossed that it will be 0 tomorrow morning.

 

[pwrmacG4]

this morning
ammonia 0
nitrites 1.0
nitrates 10

guess another water change

 

[MissFishy]

The gravel will help for sure, but still it will take some time. Keep up the good work. I'm surprised the gravel hasn't helped more, was this gravel well established at the store?

 

[pwrmacG4]

yes, well established. Should I go and get more?

 

[pwrmacG4]

I tested the water when I got home today and it will still above 2.0. I did a 50% water change and used Prime prior to the change.. the reading about an hr after is still 2.0 or just a little over. I don't know what else to do other than the water changes. the ammonia has been gone now for weeks and the nitrites have been spiking now for almost 2 weeks. and my nitrates have been holding steady around 20

 

[MissFishy]

I would get more gravel, make sure it's from a really well established tank. I would also confirm your test results at the LFS to make sure your test kit isn't off. It isn't rare to have nitrites for so long, but with the gravel I would have thought the levels would have gone down a bit.