cycling question (Nitrites)

mrpergo · 10/09/2013, 08:27 AM

these are my readings from this morning. I just set the tank up over the weekend and had been cycling the rock for about 6 weeks in a 32gal brute barrel. Did the shrimp thing to start the cycle back then. At one point the ammonia was close to 8.0. I moved the rock and most of the water to the DT and added 20 lbs more of LR from the LFS and finished with newly made water.
The Nitrite level has been this high for a couple of weeks (it was this high in the barrel with the rocks) shouldn't this be coming down with the ammonia?
Don't know if I missed a step or something.

Sugar Magnolia · 10/09/2013, 10:12 AM

It could be because you added more LR to the tank. Was the new LR you added fully cycled?

Reefmedic79 · 10/09/2013, 11:02 AM

+1 to sugar

Also it can still take some time for the nitrites to come down, a full cycle could take more than 8 weeks.

Did you have any type of circulation in the brute?

mrpergo · 10/09/2013, 11:28 AM

I believe the rock was fully cycled. The additional 20 lbs I got from the LFS on Sunday when I set everything up in the house. I just thought with the addition of LR from the LFS that the cycle would speed up not go in reverse....lol
Reefmedic79: yes I had a Koralia 1050 with a heater in the Brute, I put a shrimp in and Ammonia went up to 4.0 maybe 8.0 then came down to what you see now and Nitrites went up and are still up.

Reefmedic79 · 10/09/2013, 02:49 PM

If the nitrites haven't come down in the brute, then the rock wasn't completely cycled yet. Only time will give you lower nitrite.

I just re-examined your picture, are you are not mixing up NitrIte with NitrAte? Your nitrite scale doesn't even go to 8.0?

mrpergo · 10/09/2013, 02:55 PM

I know my Ammonia was up to maybe 8.0.......lol
The Nitrite sat at 5.0 or VERY PURPLE forever.
I'm convinced it will be down by the weekend.......optimism

KeepNitReel · 10/10/2013, 07:42 AM

OK here is why it's taking so long for the nitrites to go down.
Ammonia was close to 8, which caused a larger nitrite colony to form, to consume the large amount of ammonia. Nitrate is slower forming than nitrite & with such a large nitrite colony to eat, you are looking at a longer cycle.

mrpergo · 10/10/2013, 07:48 AM

now that makes sense....Thank You
Here's what happened: I couldn't find the shrimp to take out because I threw it in the barrel with the rocks on the bottom so when Ammonia hit 4.0 and I went shrimp diving it was shredded. I now understand if I cycle another tank that I need to be able to get the little fella out of there (like wrapped in cheese cloth)

KeepNitReel · 10/10/2013, 07:56 AM

Next cycle, use pure ammonia (Ace Hardware Janitorial Strength) you can dose the level of ammonia you want on the spot and shave off days waiting for a shrimp to decay

mxharrison · 10/10/2013, 08:01 AM

I used pure ammonia and my cycle was very quick as well

mrpergo · 10/10/2013, 08:23 AM

I'm learning. I have many Grand children to pass my wisdom on to so these are lessons that won't be soon forgot. I might not get the eye roll on this one.....LOL

10/09/2013, 10:12 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	It could be because you added more LR to the tank. Was the new LR you added fully cycled? __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

10/09/2013, 11:02 AM	#3
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	+1 to sugar Also it can still take some time for the nitrites to come down, a full cycle could take more than 8 weeks. Did you have any type of circulation in the brute? __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

10/09/2013, 02:49 PM	#5
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	If the nitrites haven't come down in the brute, then the rock wasn't completely cycled yet. Only time will give you lower nitrite. I just re-examined your picture, are you are not mixing up NitrIte with NitrAte? Your nitrite scale doesn't even go to 8.0? __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

10/09/2013, 11:28 AM	#4
mrpergo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hilton,N.Y. Posts: 398	I believe the rock was fully cycled. The additional 20 lbs I got from the LFS on Sunday when I set everything up in the house. I just thought with the addition of LR from the LFS that the cycle would speed up not go in reverse....lol Reefmedic79: yes I had a Koralia 1050 with a heater in the Brute, I put a shrimp in and Ammonia went up to 4.0 maybe 8.0 then came down to what you see now and Nitrites went up and are still up.

10/09/2013, 02:55 PM	#6
mrpergo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hilton,N.Y. Posts: 398	I know my Ammonia was up to maybe 8.0.......lol The Nitrite sat at 5.0 or VERY PURPLE forever. I'm convinced it will be down by the weekend.......optimism

10/10/2013, 07:42 AM	#7
KeepNitReel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Henrico, Virginia Posts: 490	OK here is why it's taking so long for the nitrites to go down. Ammonia was close to 8, which caused a larger nitrite colony to form, to consume the large amount of ammonia. Nitrate is slower forming than nitrite & with such a large nitrite colony to eat, you are looking at a longer cycle.

10/10/2013, 07:48 AM	#8
mrpergo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hilton,N.Y. Posts: 398	now that makes sense....Thank You Here's what happened: I couldn't find the shrimp to take out because I threw it in the barrel with the rocks on the bottom so when Ammonia hit 4.0 and I went shrimp diving it was shredded. I now understand if I cycle another tank that I need to be able to get the little fella out of there (like wrapped in cheese cloth)

10/10/2013, 07:56 AM	#9
KeepNitReel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Henrico, Virginia Posts: 490	Next cycle, use pure ammonia (Ace Hardware Janitorial Strength) you can dose the level of ammonia you want on the spot and shave off days waiting for a shrimp to decay

10/10/2013, 08:01 AM	#10
mxharrison Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 9	I used pure ammonia and my cycle was very quick as well

10/10/2013, 08:23 AM	#11
mrpergo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hilton,N.Y. Posts: 398	I'm learning. I have many Grand children to pass my wisdom on to so these are lessons that won't be soon forgot. I might not get the eye roll on this one.....LOL