water test question...

[maxwell2002]

so i have the basic principal of a cycle...ammo to trites to trates, got it! Whats puzzling me now is im on day 3 of ammo=0, my nitrates have been fluctuating, as high as 160 two days ago, today down to a comfy 5.0, and my nitrites have been holding strong at 1.0 all week! I know the bacteria are doin their thing by the fluctuations, but could someone break it down to me so i can better understand the process?
thanks, rob

 

[cls8s]

You shouldn't have any nitrites or nitrates until your ammonia spikes. May be tap water issue. Test it straight from your faucet.

 

[maxwell2002]

my ammomia spiked 6 days ago! i'm using ro/di water as well.