Mini Cycle!

So it has been over a week since my cycle ended and I have been noticing a mini after cycle. My nitrites have been up a little bit at .50 to 1. My ammonia is A ok, and my nitrate is 40. I can't get that stupid nitrate to come down!!!! Anyways I have 1 clownfish, 3 blue hermits, and 3 snails. Any advice for me??? I am a concerned that I will not be able to add another fish for a long time and I am also concerned for the current fish. Please leave a long detailed answer for me. Thanks!

 

You know KDtrey5 often times people cycle their tanks then don't realize that once it's cycled that the beneficial bacteria will die off if they dont have a food source. This is commonly known to us as not putting fish in after the cycle is over or by not feeding the tank once the cycle is over to allow a food source.

 

I do not think that this is not true. I went 3 weeks without "feeding" my ammonia and still never had problems with it.

 

Decay or bi-products of metabolism create ammonia=beneficial bacteria types (nutrifying)convert toxic ammonia into nitrites=another type of nutrifying bacteria convert the nitrite to nitrate.

The nutrifying bacteria or biological filter is an ever evolving process. Without the bi-products of metabolism to feed the biological filter it will die back. It becomes balanced over time. You have a bioload (fish, inverts, uneaten food) the biological filter has grown or evolved to meet and process or convert the bioload. Once you add fish the filter needs time to adjust, to grow.

I have 2 fish, if I were to add 5 even in a 4 year old tank, the biological filter would need time to increase in size and efficiency. I would need to watch and monitor the ammonia level and nitrite levels and intervene appropriately based on those levels.

Adding one source of ammonia to initiate the cycle does not sustain the biological filter. The biological filter is not static, it changes and adapts based on available nutrients. This is way ghost feeding is a good idea.


Basically your cycle has not ended nor will it ever. This is the huge reason you allow a longer cycle and add fish slowly, allowing time for the biological filter to adapt in between additions.

To assist you in bringing down the nitrites and nitrates I would do a water change and consider the introduction of additional beneficial bacteria be it in the form of adding more live cured rock or adding MB7 or similar products. Keeping feedings light and continue to monitor your levels. When you have 0 nitrites and a reduced nitrate level you can probably add one fish, and repeat and rinse as they say.


Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.

Do you have a skimmer?