Ammonia & Nitrites

[SaltyNovice]

Is it possible to have high ammonia and high nitrites at the same time? I have had LR curing in the tank for 12 days. The ammonia has been running 8+ ppm everyday. Last night the nitrites started to register on my tests, but the ammonia was still running high. Tonight - the nitrites are running 5 ppm and the ammonia is still running at 8+ ppm - can this be correct?

Thanks for your help,

SaltyNovice

 

[Paintbug]

its highly possible. sounds like you should start seeing a drop in the ammonia any day now.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

ummm....yes. what will happen is called the ANN cycle...
Ammonia will get high...Nitrites will start....and then chec.....
ohhh never mind............read a book

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Once the ammonia starts being consumed by bacteria (that is currently building in your LR) it is converted to nitrite. The bacteria will then convert nitrite to nitrate. Sounds like your on your way and as Paint says, the ammonia should start coming down soon.

 

[SaltyNovice]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6759859#post6759859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BurntOutReefer
ummm....yes. what will happen is called the ANN cycle...
Ammonia will get high...Nitrites will start....and then chec.....
ohhh never mind............read a book

You always this nice?

 

[BurntOutReefer]

sorry....just really testy tonight.......anyway....you have 10 years in fresh.....the ANN cycle is the same....you should be used to this..you'll see spikes in Ammonia, Nitrite will spike and Ammonia fall...Nitrates will start showing up....spike and Nitrite will fall...
no worrys...each tank will be different...so many factors involved....but the cycle stays the same

 

[AllenFord_SC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6760067#post6760067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BurntOutReefer
the ANN cycle is the same....you should be used to this..you'll see spikes in Ammonia, Nitrite will spike and Ammonia fall...Nitrates will start showing up....spike and Nitrite will fall...
no worrys...each tank will be different...so many factors involved....but the cycle stays the same

Just for future reference it's known as the Nitrogen cycle

 

[BurntOutReefer]

ummm...no...I dont think so...its known as the ANN cycle...unless everysingle book ever written about aquariums is wrong.....
and just for future refernec,.....you cant get Nitrite with Ammonia

 

[BurntOutReefer]

sorry...my bad...in the old days it was know as the ANN cycle (ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate)....now with all the new fangled langauge you young bucks use....its called the Nitrogen Cycle...
just wondering......then how come people still test for Ammonia....

 

[Sm0kin]

the nitrogen cycle starts with ammonia.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

so why test for ammonia? all you would need to test would be for Nitrite

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Just a stupid question....Is it the same bacteria that consume Nitrite as that consume ammoinia?

 

[ACBlinky]

That's not a stupid question. It's a different bacteria. Once there's ammonia in the tank the first bacteria have a food source and begin to multiply. They convert the ammonia into nitrite, providing a food source for a second bacteria which then multiply and start to change the nitrite into nitrate. The cycle can actually be completed if you're using a deep sand bed or other source of anaerobic bacteria, which consume the nitrate and produce free nitrogen, which then exits the tank into the air.

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Ok ACB, if you were to complete the cycle (deep sand bed or such), it would seem that there would be no need for water changes or is that too utopic?

Mike