Does anyone know if a ph range of 8.2-9 hamper a fishless cycle? This is what is happening in my 2 fishless cycling tanks, with nitrites at 5.0, and nitrates between 5-10. I'm wondering if the water is too hard, and/or PH is too high for the nitrites to convert? I don't know if I should do a water change to lower the ph to under 8, or just leave it be.

I just read online that the nitrification process prefers 7-8 PH. Oh dear. I hate to do a water change, although I think 30% is in order to get it down naturally using my RO water. Guess I better get to work........