Aquarium bacteria cycling question for experts?

I recently started a tank, after not doing fish for a few years. My ammonia has gone down to zero . That is testing just before the daily water change. The nitrite and nitrate are a different story. They have been stuck at 2 ppm %26amp; 20 ppm, respectfully. They have been this high for several weeks. This seems high to me, even for cycling my tank, but I don't think I should get rid of it ALL. Wouldn't that make the bacteria for the nitrite die or at least not multiply? Also What level should I try to keep them at? I understand zero is the target but what about during your initial cycle? Am I wrong in thinking that I want to have a little bit left in there to encourage bacteria growth?








Thank you.

Aquarium bacteria cycling question for experts?
You are exactly right that you need some in the tank to have additional bacteria growth. It's not uncommon for the nitrite to nitrate part of the cycle to be a few weeks behind the ammonia to nitrite part and even to be slow in completely growing out. It sound like you are coming along in fairly normal progress personally. The nitrite level is boarderline. I would rather see it around 1 ppm for the health of the fish. The nitrates are just fine, nothing at all to worry about there. I would suggest a series of small water changes to lower the nitrites a bit. Consider the type of fish you have and your current tank temperature and see if an increase of a few degrees in the tank temperature is possible, that might jump start the bacteria into completing the cycle. Also, lightly stir the surface of your gravel every few days to move bacteria colonies around a bit, that might encourage additional growth.





I am assuming you have an adequately sized power filter for the tank. Right?





MM
Reply:you said daily water changes? you shouldnt be changing your water daily that may be the reason for your problem. do you have fish in the tank or are you doing a fishless cycle? During the cycle there are a few stages.


1) amonia goes up


2) amonia keeps going up and nitrite rises


3) nitrite keeps riseing and amonia depletes


4) nitrate begins to rise and nitrite depletes


5) nitrate should then deplete


the bacteria is what breaks down these toxins so possibly by doing your daily water changes you are removing some of this bacteria needed to let the tank cycle.


Please give more info as to what size tank what fish are in there and anything else that you can think of.
Reply:Ok, do not worry about the nitrates if it is a freshwater tank. For the nitrites, I would get a product at a local petsmart, or petco that locks the nitrites making them non-toxic. Test your water again, and check to see if nitrites are zero, and nitrates if its saltwater. Then when they are zero, do a 20% water change, and you are set. If it goes back up, make sure to add the lock, and do the change sometime in that week
Reply:I know everyone has their own methods of cycling their tanks which work for them, in my experience if you just leave your tank alone and let it go through its cycle and possibly remove any carbon in your filters this may help eliminate all nitrites. And no you dont want to have any ammonia or nitrites in your tank, this should only happen during the initial cycling process. Nitrites at 2 are a little high keeping them under .4 is ideal and nitrates under 40 or 60 is good. So i would just try leaving the tank alone feeding minimally and removing carbon and see how that does for you in the next week to see if the nitrites lower.
Reply:Hi -





do you have any plants in your tank - floating and/or planted plants?





They'll help with the nitrate and nitrite levels - to keep them down. Anacharis is a good one for tanks. It will also oxygenate the water. I think it's one of the best.





Good Luck,





Ken