Ammonia is dropping and nitrAtes are present, but no nitrItes??

[firteen888]

Hey all,

So it appears that something is finally starting to happen with my cycle, but it's weird. My ammonia dropped from about 3/4ppm to 1/1.5ppm but there's still no signs of nitrites (I've been cycling for almost a month now). What's weird is, I'm seeing signs of nitrAtes! There's not much, only about 2-3ppm, but they're still present. Is it even possible to see nitrates before nitrites? What does this mean for my cycle, am I on the right track or did I mess up somewhere?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Homedog98]

Hey all,

So it appears that something is finally starting to happen with my cycle, but it's weird. My ammonia dropped from about 3/4ppm to 1/1.5ppm but there's still no signs of nitrites (I've been cycling for almost a month now). What's weird is, I'm seeing signs of nitrAtes! There's not much, only about 2-3ppm, but they're still present. Is it even possible to see nitrates before nitrites? What does this mean for my cycle, am I on the right track or did I mess up somewhere?

Thanks again for all your help.

I saw nitrates before I saw nitrites. Don't worry... In 3 days or so the nitrites will arrive in full force! If your cycling with fish... It's a nightmare. If your cycling fishless, yay you! Crisis averted.

 

[firteen888]

I'm doing a fish-less cycle and have been waiting for nitrites forever. I hope you're right about 3 days, I will continue to wait patiently.

 

[Hubert90]

I'm doing a fish-less cycle and have been waiting for nitrites forever. I hope you're right about 3 days, I will continue to wait patiently.

For me, I never actually saw nitrite during my cycling. But i probably assumed it was cycled since it has being 4 weeks! If homedog is true, I'm super lucky because I didn't add my fish for another week or 2! Haha but onto topic! U are close to the end ur of fishless cycle!!

 

[firteen888]

Nice! How would I know when my cycle has ended if I never see nitrites?

 

[Homedog98]

Nice! How would I know when my cycle has ended if I never see nitrites?

When your tank can convert 4 ppm of ammonia to 0 in 24 hours or less, you have no nitrites, and around 20 nitrates.

 

[firteen888]

Ok cool, thanks!

 

[Homedog98]

No problemo.