I have Nitrates!!

[Coralocean]

I am so excited today is the first day I have seen NitRates since setting up my tank! Looks like 5ppm.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Ph 8.2
Temp 81.7
I wonder why I never see nitrites. I put in the Angel Plus bio active sponge last Thursday.
Should I do a water change, if so how much?

 

[ZxC]

you need to provide an ammonia source if you're still cycling. You can leave nitrates, 5ppm is very little. After water changes I'm still over 5 ppm

 

[Coralocean]

I have 3 danios and an Inca Snail. Until a couple of days ago I was getting .25ppm ammonia. Now 0 ammonia!

 

[ZxC]

Well, you should be cycled then!, you'll have to add fish slowly or you'll see ammonia again.

 

[coralbandit]

Enjoy ! Ideal nitrates are 10-20 for most . Heavy stocked tanks can easily get to
40 in a week.
I have seen many cycles form others where they saw no nitrites..That is why after a week or two of no nitrites I always say check nitrates..Many think they are waiting for something that has passed..The sponge surely helped..
Still running carbon?

 

[Coralocean]

Enjoy ! Ideal nitrates are 10-20 for most . Heavy stocked tanks can easily get to
40 in a week.
I have seen many cycles form others where they saw no nitrites..That is why after a week or two of no nitrites I always say check nitrates..Many think they are waiting for something that has passed..The sponge surely helped..
Still running carbon?

Yes I still have the carbon going and the landlord has decided on a whole house filter with carbon. Thanks for the recommendation. I can highly recommend the sponge for people who can't get seeded media from a friend.

 

[Fresh2o]

From what I’ve observed, the nitrite spike is short lived in an established system. During my last fishless cycle I could detect the rise and drop for ammonia but never for nitrite. I was testing once a day around the same time. One day I tested multiple times (about 3-4 hours apart) and was able to catch the nitrite rise and fall. Very short window.
Congrats on the cycle and nice testament to the sponge.

 

[Coralocean]

Thank you to everyone who has helped me with this I really appreciate it. Great group here at AA!

 

[Angellove78]

Sweet! If you don't have ammonia I won't do a wc. You've done great, time for tank to mature. And weekly wc. Enjoy!

 

[flitabout]

Congrats!!!! I am so happy for you!

 

[Matthew C.]

Congratulations, but bittersweet...
Your cycled, that's so very important.
Now leads you to keeping control of it, almost neurotically. I've now added to my OCD..