[Olympia]

I'm about 3 weeks into cycling. I just got my test kit today..
So my ammonia tested at 0.25ppm.
My nitrite is around, or over 5ppm.

Is it normal to have a nitrite spike this high? How high of ammonia should I be aiming for at this point?

 

[mattoboy]

Yes! First you're ammonia spikes, then your nitrite's spike, then after they both settle down (Usually around 1 ppm) then you will start seeing Nitrate's. A healthy tank has nitrate's no higher 8 ppm

 

[Olympia]

Do you think it'll be ready in about a week then?

 

[mattoboy]

If the nitrite is beginning to spike, it should be ready between at least 4 days and 2 weeks

 

[Olympia]

What a huge range.
I read not to let nitrite go over 5ppm.. Should I do a small water change just in case?

 

[LionCalie]

I'm guessing your fishless cycling. Honestly, I wouldn't lower the Nitrate with a WC. I've had it get up to 80 ppm with no ill effects. Keep an eye on your pH though, to make sure it doesn't crash.

 

[Olympia]

Nitrite not ate
And yes it is fishless.. I think the fish would be dead with that much nitrite. xD

 

[bankruptjojo]

i seem to see alot of people say nitrAtes need to be 10-20, but also read that its more like 40-60. anyways never had a problem with them going over 20 after cycle was done.

you can do some water changes if you want iv done it with and without and dont think it matters. if so do a 25% every 2-3 days. also my nitrItes were off the chart every time i do a fishless cycle. so if that happens dont freak out. this part takes the longest but they will come down. just keep feeding a lil ammonia every day or two.

 

[LionCalie]

Gah, sorry! Your Nitrite level should be fine. I have never had it go over 5 ppm. I don't think a WC is needed at this point.

 

[Olympia]

Alright!
I'm getting so excited, it's been such a long process. The excitment kind of wore off for a while but it's back
I've been using fish food, and I grew some water fleas and nematodes I think. o-o

 

[bankruptjojo]

in the future i recommend using pure ammonia if you can find some. its much easier, i know its kind scary but iv never had any dead bettas after this method. the BB eat it just like any ammonia. its kinda hard to find but ace hardware is where i found some, they might sell it online. fish food makes more of a mess.

 

[Olympia]

Yea Ive gone to a ton of hardware and grocery stores but everythin is scented or has soap... I just kinda gave up lol.

 

[Olympia]

Is it normal for pH to go up? Mine used to be 7.2..
My pH test reads 7.6 and my high pH test reads under 7.4..
That's going to limit me to live bearers pretty much Dx

 

[bankruptjojo]

Ph doesn't matter unless its really high or really low. So it can move a lil mine stayed the same. If it dose go high or low do some water changes.

 

[Olympia]

Alright today:
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0.25 (dropped from 5ppm since Saturday?!)
Nitrate: 5ppm

Is my nitrate reading too low? Most people get it in the 80's.. Or could the hornwort be doing that? I've never had too high ammonia thanks to it, I don't know where all the nitrite came from..
Should it be ready by tomorrow or Thursday? There's a boy at the mall with ick, and I am desperate to put Gilbert in there to free up a hospital tank.

Edit: also, I have aquired quite the collection of water fleas and nematodes. This is from the food right? (Gilbert loves nematodes, won't have to feed him for a while after putting him in!)

 

[bankruptjojo]

No most tanks with plants have a low nitrAte the plants eat it up. I actually put nitAte in my tanks. Yes the fleas and worms won't hurt anything I don't believe. ur Betta will eat them lol. You are very close you might want to vacuum the gravle first to get some of that food out. If not you might be stuck with a lil ammonia. And any amount of ammonia is bad.

 

[Olympia]

Yes, I am hoping to do a 75% change tomorrow. If my nirtrItes hit zero does that mean it's time for a water change and fish? It'll just be one betta for now anyways. I'll be sure to sift through the sand for food, since it is a sand bottom.

 

[bankruptjojo]

Yes 0 ammonia 0 nitrIte and any nitrAte reading. If you have a very planted tank I guess your nitrAte reading could be zero. But if you had ammonia spike then zero, nitrIte spike than zero you should be good. Keep testing every day or every other day for a week or two just to be safe. If ammonia or nitrIte goes back up you need to take him out a seek more advice. I'm sure he will be happy with his new cycled home.