nitrates sky high

[steer14]

I have been fishless cycling my 60litre tank (using ammonia) for just over 4 weeks . I had the ammonia spike and then nitrite spike then both dropped to zero while nitrates went up . Apparently all i had to do next was a large water change then im ready for fish ! . i carried out a 90% water change making sure i dechlorinated the water using tetra aquasafe before adding to tank . After which i tested the water again and found ammonia 0 , nitrite 30ppm(at least) , nitrate 20. Does anyone have any idea what might have gone wrong ?

 

[jlk]

Did you dose the water conditioner for the size of your tank? Have you checked your tap for nitrites/nitrates? What type of test are you using?

 

[jlk]

Sorry, forgot my manners, welcome to AA!!!!

 

[steer14]

thanks for the quick reply . yes dosed as it states to on the bottle and am using api liquid test kit . would a temperature change in the water cause this ?

 

[steer14]

ooooops and my tap water is ammonia 0 , nitrite 0 and nitrate 20ppm

 

[steer14]

and thankyou for the welcome . sorry im new to this haha

 

[jlk]

thanks for the quick reply . yes dosed as it states to on the bottle and am using api liquid test kit . would a temperature change in the water cause this ?

If you refilled your tank with water that was a great difference in temp (such as freezing cold), yes, this could have shocked your bacteria. Dose your ammonia as usual & lets see how things look in 24hrs. Hopefully, things will stabilize quickly! Keep us posted!

 

[steer14]

I had temp set at 30degrees before i turned down heater and changed out water which was at 24degrees . Also this happened 3 days ago and since ive made several large water changes and no change in nitrite levels . i was well looking forward to getting some fish too

 

[steer14]

I also added a java fern and anubias yesterday !

 

[jlk]

I am sorry this happened! Were your ammonia/nitrites steadily dropping to zero in 24hrs (after daily dosing ammonia) for a couple of days? Did you change/clean any of your filter media? Im just trying to figure out if anything beyond a big temp change happened. The temp difference may have been enough to upset your bacteria, unfortunately. Hopefully, things will settle in a few days! Good work cycling!

 

[steer14]

ammonia and nitrates were steadily dropping to zero in less than 12 hours . havent touched the filter media . Do you think if i keep on making water changes nitrites will drop or do you think i should just leave alone and carry on dosing ammonia ?

 

[jlk]

Ok! Dose your ammonia & lets see where things go. The water changes are not really necessary but they are not going to hurt anything either as long as you match the temp & use water conditioner for the size of your tank. I would skip them for now & update tommorrow on how things look!