nitrite not climbing

[DOMINATOR]

Thanks for that! I have two 90 gallon tanks sharing the same 100 gallon sump, about 150-200 pounds of live rock( they were dry when i put them in the tank, i only rinsed them) then added a rock from a friends tank five pounds maybe plus sand( 2inch) ammonia is climbing slow maybe 2 ppm...shrimp are now completely decomposed...buddies rock had a little starfish and a snail on it which i realized once i put it in the tank

[DOMINATOR]

and thanks for that too Brad!!!

[abcha0s]

After reading chandigz's post, I think he makes some good points. I guess the whole point of a cycle is that things are out if balance. In my experience, I've only ever detected nitrite in a quarantine tank with no live rock, but it is definitely there and plays a critical role in the nitrogen cycle. There is no nitrate without nitrite first. Understanding the role of nitrite is important although Im still not sure that it's worth testing for?

- Brad

[asylumdown]

+1 on the raw shrimp method.

Asides from not harming any fish, it's also kind of cool to watch (even if you're really just 'visualizing the process in your head) the establishment of a complete bacterial ecosystem from the decomposition of something you'd throw out after a cocktail party. I think the bacteria in filters and live rocks are half the reason I think fish tanks are so cool. The conversion of sterile substrate to a living, breathing, life support system is mind bogglingly awesome.

Can't wait to get to turn a whole bunch of fossilized, million year old marco rock back in to the beating heart of an active reef.

[untamed]

Years ago, when I started my first tank, I did daily tests on Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate during start up. I graphed the results and you do get a very distinct spike of Amm and nitrite during the cycle. IME, the nitrite spike was very short lived (like, 1 or 2 days).

That was followed by a rise in nitrate, which was more stable.