Nitrites and Nitrates

Question
Hi Again, my nitrites are going down! They are only 1ppm now, should I still do the change or just wait it out?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello Again Nicole, it seems that my ammonia is ready to go as it now drops down to 0ppm from 3ppm in 24 hrs. But my Nitrites are still up at 1.6ppm or so. I recently read, that high nitrite levels might effect my nitrate levels, are these considered high? If so, might it explain why my nitrate readings are up at 50ppm on the 5th day?
-----Answer-----
Hi again, Garrett!

Nitrate is the end product of the nitrogen cycling process. Your high nitrites are likely due to the purer form of ammonia you used to cycle your tank. Uneaten food and waste are a "time released" ammonia source by comparison.

Since you are on day five of cycling, my suggestion to you would be to do a 25% water change now and add a new dose of Cycle, keeping your temperature at 86 degrees and continuing to aerate your tank. I know Cycle's instructions say to wait 7 days, but I believe you are ready now, after you perform a 25% water change. I would not add any more ammonia either.

There are actually two forms of bacteria responsible for cycling your tank, they are called nitrobacter and nitrosomonas. The bacteria responsible for converting ammonia into nitrite have begun to establish themselves. Nitrite is roughly half as toxic as ammonia - which is to say it's still toxic. The trick now is to turn that nitrite into nitrate, and then remove the nitrates by executing a water change. Perform that 25% water change, watch as your nitrate levels drop, and wait a few more days.

As long as you add the first fish slowly - I recommend no more than three fish the first day - I do not believe you will have any problems at all. Don't you feel smart for having avoided New Tank Syndrome? Congratulations!

If you don't have any on hand, pick up a carton of aquarium salt and add a little to your tank just before you get ready to add the first fish. Add 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons, and do not feel you need to add any again since salt is optional. I do believe it helps a fish that is sick or stressed, though, and I always use salt when I add fish to a newly cycled tank to help them acclimate. Wait a day or two to make sure everyone is settled before adding any more fish after that.

Until next time,
Nicole

Answer
Hi there! You're on day six of cycling today, is that right? Here's what I would do. Today or tomorrow, add the Cycle to your tank and monitor the results. Don't do any water changes yet, and I'll tell you why. As your nitrites drop to nearly zero, you will see a big nitrate spike.

When your ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0 ppm, your nitrates are going to be very high, and it will probably take you two massive water changes to get them down again. Do you have any decor in the tank? I would begin adding some at this time so that some of the bacteria can begin to colonize on the decorations.

So, wait on the water change a little since you're going to have to perform a massive one soon, but add the Cycle today or tomorrow and see what happens. Anywhere between 160-180% water changes are going to be necessary to bring nitrates down after cycling with ammonia, according to all I've read about it since talking to you! :)

Thanks for keeping in touch, Garrett, did you read this anecdote of someone who cycled with ammonia? They didn't have any used filter media, you can see what a difference that makes by reading about it here:

http://thegab.org/Articles/FishlessCycling.html

Oh! By the way. You may already know this, but I just wanted to inform/remind you that your filter media should be rinsed in used aquarium water, not tap water, since the chlorine in tap water will kill off the established bacteria.

Keep in touch,
Nicole