Hey guys, I've been trying to start off my saltwater aquarium since late June this year but I've been stuck on nitrites since probably a month in (July).
I've tried to leave it for a couple of weeks until late August but the nitrites have been staying on dark purple using an API testkit :'c. Ammonia levels did go down to zero though, I've been reading around that I should keep the ammonia level slightly above zero, but I left it alone since I thought the tank would just cycle after ammonia started going down. I tested nitrites around the end of June and thought it was a good thing that ammonia was being converted to nitrite, but now it's already September and my nitrites are still showing up dark purple (very high).
I've asked for advice at a fish store and the worker gave me ammonium chloride from DrTim's Aquatics and told me to do a 50% water change and dose ammonium chloride according to the instructions (which I did) once a week for two weeks.
My first water change I tested after a day or two and ammonia was up to 2ppm and nitrites still pretty high though a slight bit less dark than usual, maybe 2ppm
The first week is over and I tested again before the second water change. Ammonia levels dropped to 0.25ppm but nitrites were back to a dense, dark purple...
So I've done the second water change now and dosed ammonium chloride accordingly.. I've yet to wait to check the second water change (will wait 1 or 2 days), but I'm really worried this is not going to work out well.. Anyone able to give some tips or helpconfused?
I've attached some images of my tests (i hope theyre in order, i set them in order of dates: 19/07, 17/08, /1/09, 07/09
I've tried to leave it for a couple of weeks until late August but the nitrites have been staying on dark purple using an API testkit :'c. Ammonia levels did go down to zero though, I've been reading around that I should keep the ammonia level slightly above zero, but I left it alone since I thought the tank would just cycle after ammonia started going down. I tested nitrites around the end of June and thought it was a good thing that ammonia was being converted to nitrite, but now it's already September and my nitrites are still showing up dark purple (very high).
I've asked for advice at a fish store and the worker gave me ammonium chloride from DrTim's Aquatics and told me to do a 50% water change and dose ammonium chloride according to the instructions (which I did) once a week for two weeks.
My first water change I tested after a day or two and ammonia was up to 2ppm and nitrites still pretty high though a slight bit less dark than usual, maybe 2ppm
The first week is over and I tested again before the second water change. Ammonia levels dropped to 0.25ppm but nitrites were back to a dense, dark purple...
So I've done the second water change now and dosed ammonium chloride accordingly.. I've yet to wait to check the second water change (will wait 1 or 2 days), but I'm really worried this is not going to work out well.. Anyone able to give some tips or helpconfused?
I've attached some images of my tests (i hope theyre in order, i set them in order of dates: 19/07, 17/08, /1/09, 07/09