Nitrite not going away

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feinhorn

Aquarium Advice Regular
Joined
May 12, 2003
Messages
56
Location
Maryland USA
I have been trying to cycle my tank for at least 3 weeks now, if not a month. The ammonia has gone away completely but the nitrites are still there. They are not even slowly going down. They stay very high. The fish seem to be fine. Does it usually take longer for the nitrites to disappear then it does for the ammonia? I have been told not to use any nitrite absorbing materials so not to starve the bacteria. I just find it odd that the nitrites have not lowered at all this last couple of weeks. Any ideas?
 
The bacteria that converts nitrite grows at about 1/2 the rate of the nitrosomas (ammonia). Give it some more time and they'll come down. If you have doubts about the accuracy of the test, take a sample to the LFS and see what they come up with. Cycling can take up to 6 weeks...even longer in some cases. Patience is the key.
 
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