johnkristie
Aquarium Advice Freak
I have a 210 gal with sump containing 5 gallons of bioballs and overflow chambers containing biobale. I have two T4 Velocity pumps circulating the tank. I have been cycling a tank of mine for about 2.5 weeks now using shrimp. My ammonia level rose to about 0.5 mg/L after 3 days and then dropped down to 0. However, my nitrites have risen to about 2 to 2.5 mg/L and have held steady for about a 1.5 weeks. My nitrates have risen to about 20 and have also held steady for about 1.5 weeks. Shouldn't my nitrites start to fall and my nitrates start to rise as the bacteria process them? Or am I just being impatient?