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Hoo boy, So I bought the ammonia tester, the water conditioner, a new type of filter insert and... the ammonia level is 0.


BUT my nitrite levels are now up to 5!! Maybe even higher. How can this be? And what does it mean? I bought Reptisafe water conditioner. Will this help with the nitrite?

...where can the nitrite be coming from if there is no ammonia? ACH! Any ideas? Hurry! Before I spend another $80 at the pet store!!

That's a good sign that your cycling is going well. The bacteria that consume the ammonia are now established, that's why your ammonia is 0. From now on, any ammonia from the turtle's waste will be converted directly to nitrite. So you shouldn't see anymore ammonia from your test kit as long as the bacteria culture stays healthy.

Now you have to wait for the next type of bacteria to grow and consume the nitrite, then you will see the nitrite levels go down to 0. The final product is nitrate which accumulates slower and is tolerated by the turtles much better (but it will add to the algae growth).

Don't worry, it sounds like everything is going well. Relax and enjoy!

Phew! So, in the time it takes for the nitrite to become nitrate, the turtles won't get sickly? Because the nitrites registered JUST below the highest level they could... I know, I know, you said relax. Easier said than done, for me! Thanks!

Also, just to be sure I understand: in the coming days, my tests should show a decrease in nitrite, and an increase in nitrate?

i purchased a small bottle of bacteria to help get the process started in my tank. sounds kinda wierd that i went out and bought bacteria, lol, but it worked. i tried to find the bottle so i could tell ya what it is, but i must have thrown it away. i think it was "eco" something, and said below the name "to help convert ammonia to nitrate". wish i could tell ya exactly what it was.

but don't worry. The Munster's should be just fine while the bacteria grow, even without buying bacteria.

Great! Thanks! I'm sure the Munsters appreciate my knowing this, as it affords them a moment of peace, without the Bighead worriedly lurking outside their tank 24/7. Feeling MUCH better!!

The bottled bacteria does help speed up the process and without the really high spikes in ammonia or nitrite. At this point you are half way through so you could just wait it out, BUT if you're really worried, most pet stores will carry something similar. "Biozyme" is a powdered form that is usually found in stores.

You can also do some small water changes, like 10% or 20%, to keep the spikes down. You don't want to do too big a water change because the nitrite eating bacteria usually don't kick in until the level gets high enough.