I have ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates all at the same time. What's going on?

theweirdo

Member
Here are my water parameters:
Ammonia: 0.40 ppm
Nitrite: 4 ppm
Nitrate: 30 ppm
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 8.3
It seems like I have developed both types of bacteria, but... they aren't getting rid of all of my ammonia or nitrite. If it matters, though, my Ammonia is down from slightly lower than 1 ppm, my nitrite is up from around 1 ppm, and my nitrate is up from 0 ppm.
 

my way

Active Member
What you have is some bacteria consuming the ammonia but not enough to do all of it, which is giving both ammonia and nitrites. At the same time you have some bacteria consuming the nitrites and giving off nitrates. This is not at all uncommon in the cycling process. Just give it time, it will get there. By your ammonia going down, you know you're on your way.
 
Top