molliwopp
Aquarium Advice Addict
What should the nitrite reading be?
Your nitrite reading will obviously depend on what stage your cycle is at.
If nitrite is dropping it shouldnt be far off complete. 2 months with established media is more than enough time to complete the cycle. I find the nitrite stage dramatic, i.e one day you have a substancial reading for nitrite and the next day it reads 0.
I would try and keep nitrite below 5ppm so you can keep track of the actual reading more easily. Keep an eye on your ph, I dont know exactly what causes it is but when the ammonia conversion takes place some forms of acid are released which will lower the ph of the tank and if your ph drops below 6 it can stall the cycle. I wouldnt worry about this though seeing as youre doing water changes.
Nitrite should read 0 once cycled. When you can add 3-4ppm of ammonia and its converted to nitrite and then into nitrAte in 24hrs your finished.
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