nitrites stuck

[sls0768]

Hi All.

I am cycling a 20 gal tank with a couple of damsels. I am in the 4th week. My nitrite level seems to be staying right at the level up from 0. Should I be doing partial water change or what. I have added some biologicals to help the process but still no change. Am I rushing things or what am i doing wrong. I do have live rock also.

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Can you describe your system in more detail? i.e. filtration, how much live rock, etc. What are your other test results now and what have they been in the past?

You're going to hear plenty of comments that cycling with fish is outdated, harmful, and not necessary.

[sls0768]

i know i have already heard that alot. I have a Skilter, which is a hang on filter/protein skimmer. I have about 7 lbs of live rock so far. Crushed coral substrate and not much else to tell.

[IslandCrow]

My guess would be that you don't have enough biological filtration to handle your bioload. In other words, you're going to need more live rock. About 1 lb per gallon is generally considered the minimum. Also, what type of test kit are you using? Try using it to test some freshly mixed saltwater made with purified RO or RO/DI water (not tap water). If you're using a test kit where you're comparing to a color chart, the colors don't always match up quite perfectly. So, if you get the same color testing with newly mixed saltwater as you do with the seawater from the tank, your nitrites are in fact at 0 (or close to it).

Lastly, yes, you should be doing water changes. I'd probably start off with a 20-30% water change. From there, I'd recommend 10% weekly, though many people prefer to do one 20-30% water change monthly.

[Curlsoc]

Originally posted by sls0768
i know i have already heard that alot. I have a Skilter, which is a hang on filter/protein skimmer. I have about 7 lbs of live rock so far. Crushed coral substrate and not much else to tell.

Ahhh, crushed coral. Nasty detrius storage in a lot of cases, I had it at first and had a huge nitrate issue, taking it out and replacing it with live sand is working much better.

[sls0768]

I have gotten mixed about water changes, some say don't change any yet.

[oct2274]

if your tank is cycling you will not want to do water changes, it just slows the cycle. Let the cycle complete and then do the water changes.

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Personally, I'm a fan of water changes during the cycle IF there is a large biological load to start the cycle, such as a whole bunch of uncured live rock. It doesn't sound like that is the case here (only a few pounds) so I would just do them on a normal schedule.

[Joe]

sls0768,
What is your nitrAte reading?

Joe

[IslandCrow]

if your tank is cycling you will not want to do water changes, it just slows the cycle. Let the cycle complete and then do the water changes.

The problem here is that there are fish in the tank, and there isn't nearly enough biological filtration to begin with. In my opinion, letting ammonia build up to high levels to feed the nitrifying bacteria isn't an acceptable option. Tanks go through a cycle because there are insufficient amounts of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria to handle the bioload. In other words, especially in the case where we have fish in the tank producing waste, there should be an excess of ammonia, not a shortage. I'm no marine biologist, but I don't see how normal water changes could significantly lengthen the cycle.

[bertoni]

You could also consider getting a double-check on the test kit. Nitrite test kits (along with the others) do go bad often enough that I read lots of reports of failed kits.

I would remove the fish, unless you want to keep them long-term. That'll allow any ich or other diseases some time to die out. Some water changes might help with the water quality, and I don't believe they'll slow or hurt anything. I suspect you need either more time or a new test kit.

[sls0768]

hey guys. I did about a 15% water change yesterday and have added at least 7 more lbs. or cured live rock since i first wrote. My nitrites seem to have gone down some. I vacummed the gravel somewhat. I know there is alot of junk down there. Would you advised doing all that again soon.

[sls0768]

and one more question. I have crushed coral substrate. If i decide to switch to live sand............what's the best way to go about it?

[rustybucket145]

switch the substrate now. easy to do. get a cup, scoop out all the crushed coral (leaving some < 1" will be good) Wash sand in bucket, add sand to tank by scooping in cup, lowering cup to bottom of tank and dumping out sand.

[sls0768]

how much do you suggest. sand that is. Will there be cloudiness to settle?

[bertoni]

An inch or so of sand for looks is fine. Sand is optional, for that matter. Lots of people run tanks with no substrate at all.

[the cougar]

Originally posted by oct2274
if your tank is cycling you will not want to do water changes, it just slows the cycle. Let the cycle complete and then do the water changes.

***??????

water chnages are benefical during a cycle and actually speed it up as 1/ you are helping organisms on the live rock to survive by lowering the amount of toxins (ammonia and nitrite) in the water and thus have better biological filtration later on.
2/ by removing the toxins in this way it actually speeds up the cycle process although it is not going to shave weeks off the time it will certainly lower it.

3/ i know you heard it before but DONT CYCLE A TANK WITH FISH!!!!!!!!!!!