re-cycling question

[TracyRee]

Lost my bioload after medicating for columnaris. 5 community fish in a 15 gallon left.

yesterday i had .5ppm ammonia, zero nitrites and zero nitrates. ran out and bought Fluval biological booster and added last night.

tonight my readings are .5ppm ammonia, zero nitrites and 5.00 nitrates

so....i expected ammonia to go down, nitrites to rise and no change in nirtates until nitrites went down. what gives?

 

[Delapool]

I assume tap water has no readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrates?


I'd suspect that the some conversion to nitrates but the ammonia will linger for a bit before completely recycling.


Last one would be to check test kits. My test kits are always a consistent measurement (even if hobby grade accuracy) but have heard of problems on old test kits.