Tank cycling starting?

[Marvensmom6]

Hi I’ve previously posted about very high ammonia level in my 10 g tank, and now ammonia is between .25 and 5.0. It looks like the nitrite level is slowly starting to change and is about .25. Could this mean my tank may be starting first part of nitrogen cycle? I’ve never had nitrites in tank before. It’s been over a month or 6 weeks since ammonia first spiked. Thanks 😊 Karen

[Aiken Drum]

Seeing nitrite is a sign your ammonia to nitrite bacteria are establishing. Any nitrate yet?

[Marvensmom6]

Nope no nitrate yet. How much nitrite is safe? Nitrate? Thanks Karen

[Aiken Drum]

As per my post #3 ammonia + nitrite no higher than 0.5ppm combined.

https://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...os-379434.html

If you have 0.25 ammonia and 0.25 nitrite let it be. 0.5 ammonia and 0.25 nitrite change 1/3 of the water.

How often have you had to change water to keep your ammonia to these levels?

[Marvensmom6]

I have just learned that my ammonia is .25, nitrite is .25 and nitrate is .50. It would seem that I’m cycling finally!! I’m doing 1/3 water changes if ammonia starts to climb to .5. Any advice at this point? Many thanks 🙏 Karen

[Aiken Drum]

Keep doing what you are doing. Now you are seeing nitrite you need to keep an eye on that too. 0.25 ammonia and 0.25 nitrite, thats fine (0.5ppm combined).

[Marvensmom6]

Thanks so very much for your help, very kind😊

[gilpi]

Originally Posted by Marvensmom6

Hi I’ve previously posted about very high ammonia level in my 10 g tank, and now ammonia is between .25 and 5.0. It looks like the nitrite level is slowly starting to change and is about .25. Could this mean my tank may be starting first part of nitrogen cycle? I’ve never had nitrites in tank before. It’s been over a month or 6 weeks since ammonia first spiked. Thanks 😊 Karen

Something is going right. Cycling can seem like a long process. Just curious, what filter are you using?