PWC cycling question

[Aspencer]

My parameters are in my second week of cycling with seeded filter:
Ammonia 1.0
NitrItes 5.0
NitrAtes 80.
pH dropped from 8.0 to 7.4

Should I be doing a PWC?

 

[rich311k]

No need looks like you are percolating nicely. Things are going just the way they should be.

 

[Aspencer]

Thanks, will redose to nearly 4

 

[Aspencer]

Ammonia 1.0
NitrItes 8.8
NitrAtes <160

Will these high values stall my cycle?

 

[rich311k]

I would wait 24 hours and test again. Your ammonia should be 0 and then the question is do the nitrites rise or drop. You sure are spiking and are extremely close to done.

 

[Aspencer]

Should I dose to 4ppm?

 

[rich311k]

I would not dose more than 2 ppm ammonia from this point on. That will just make this cycle go on for ever.

 

[Aspencer]

Thank you!

 

[Aspencer]

pH 7.4
Ammonia 0
NitrItes 8.8 or above
NitrAtes 160 or above

Should I be doing a water change?

 

[rich311k]

Looks good, you processed 2ppm ammonia, the nitrites stayed the same which means the BB processed all the that extra ammonia and kept up. Go to 2-3 ppm ammonia again. I bet you get 0 ammonia again and that nitrite number starts to come down. You are extermely close, no need for a water change.

 

[Aspencer]

Thank you again!

 

[Aspencer]

Redosed Ammonia yesterday to 4.0

Ammonia 0
NitrItes 5.0 looks a bit lighter than yesterday
NitrAtes > 160 looks a bit darker than yesterday

You were right Rich, NitrItes look to be dropping.

I guess I should redose again and wait for NitrItes to drop. Can the concentration of NitrAtes inhibit the growth of NitrIte eating bacteria?

 

[rich311k]

I do think that is an issue at all. Add the ammonia and wait for tomorrow.I think by Monday you will be done. With that nitrate number you will want to do a 90% change then but for right now just stick to the path.