Amonia 0,...But Nitrate and Nitrite High

[tremor1002]

Hi, I have a 90 gallon tank with 100 lbs of live Fiji Rock and two Yellow Tail Damsel. I started this new tank on 4/10/05 with 3 dead shrimp from my local fish store. Then I added 100 Lbs of live Fiji Rock to the tank on 4/14/05. My ammonia level finally reached 0 on 4/23/05. So I decided to take the three boring, decaying shrimp and add two yellow Tail Damsels due to the ammonia read 0. Tested the levels today 4/24/05 and the ammonia still reads 0, Nitrite 1.6 and Nitrate 110. I do have a UV but i don't have it running yet,... do to the high levels. Everything else reads fine Salinity, PH etc. I know it takes a while for those levels to go down, but does anyone have any suggestions? Am I good for now or was I too impatient?


Also can someone tell me what things or chemicals if any should I stock in my house so if anything where to happen I be ahead of the game,.. You know salt, etc...???

 

[Edmonton Eskimo]

Your cycle isn't over yet I don't think. Ammonia is converted to nitrites and then to complete the cycle into nitrates. Once you are only dealing with nitrates you can do some water changes and a little waiting to get those down to normal. I think you were a little impatient but hey aren't we all. I would say do a 25% water change and test and see what you get. You can continue with changes untill you get it down some more.HTH

 

[electrikat]

You should have 0 on the ammonia and the nitrite before the cycle is over.

 

[tremor1002]

What things or chemicals if any should I stock in my house so if anything where to happen I be ahead of the game,.. You know salt, etc...???