Nitrites not dropping

[vonp]

I am 4 weeks into a fish less cycle. My ammonia drops to 0 in 24 hrs, but my nitrites are off the scale. I did 2 90% water changes over the last 2 days & it is still off the scale. I have not added ammonia in 2 days. Any idea if the nitrites will drop on their own? Or change the water today?


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[54seaweed]

what kind of test kit are you using , if using strips get a liquid test kit
another thought check the water source see if it has any nitrates there
but its hard to think after 2 90% changes it's still off the charts
I'm leaning towards a bad test kit check make sure it's not expired

 

[vonp]

I'm using a new API master kit. I have tested my tap water and it has almost 0 nitrites. Could it be the peat I am using to control the hardness and alkalinity?


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[jarrod0987]

Cycles can be a pita sometimes. Try to keep them low by water changes and be patient.

 

[Mebbid]

Just do a 100% water change to see where youre at. Even at 90% water changes those numbers could be accurate.

Its really a waiting game.. the nitrite consuming bacteria take twice as long to grow sonits a longer process.