NitrAte and nitrite are high!

[ali_mrza]

Hey guys,

I have a 55 gallon Saltwater tank which has:
-50 pounds of live rock
-40 pounds of live sand
-3 power heads(3200gph in total)
- Canister filter(265gph)

This fish tank has been cycling for 2-3 weeks now. At first my Ammonia was high but then it got to zero thankfully. But then my nitrite was at 2ppm and nitrAte was at 5.0ppm. How can i lower this? When do i do my water change to finish the cylce? Am i almost done with the cycle? How many days are left to cycle? What would you do if this was your tank?

PH: 8.0
Ammonia: ZERO ppm
Nitrite: 2.0ppm
NitrAte: 5.0ppm

THE LIVE ROCK IS "LIVE CURED ROCK

 

[Ingy]

There are2 types of nitrifying bacteria. The first type eats ammonia and poops nitrites. The second eats nitrites and poops nitrates. You got the first, now you have to wait for these ones to build up.
Once your BB can reduce 4 ppm ammonia into nitrates in 24 hrs your done. Then you do the big water change.
Keep your lights out until then or you may see an algae outbreak.


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