Fishless cycle - when to remove seed material?

[talieandsasha]

started my cycle a week ago, and Sunday I finally managed to add seeding material from a friends tank (a really dirty sponge and bio beads!!) nitrites finally showed up on my test kit yesterday and increased again today! I tested nitrates for fun and they already showed up too, at 5ppm.. is it normal for it to show up already?

lastly, I just wanted to know when I can remove the seeding material? I have it all in a piece of pantyhose since it didn't all fit in my filter.

 

[RightTurnClyde]

It can happen that fast. It was the same for me. I saw nitrites after a couple days and was completely cycled a week later. Not sure how long to keep your hosiery in the tank. I would guess that it's whatever is in your filter that is really doing the work. Maybe give it 2 or 3 weeks after your Amm and Nitrites get down to zero.

 

[talieandsasha]

Water change?

My nitrites are now too high to test but nitrate still on chart, do I do a 50% water change?

Thx

 

[RightTurnClyde]

Yes, I would. Get it so it's on the chart and then you can see if it's dropping or still rising.

 

[AquaBud]

Thanks! This answered my exact question!

 

[talieandsasha]

Thanks! I did the water change.

If they drop it means I'm on the end of the cycle, and if they rise the cycle is not there yet?

 

[J1Time]

No need to water change during fish less cycle. Just leave it be until nitrites hit 0 along with ammonia. Then do a big water change and enjoy.