Is this possible?

[jetmech_05]

I tested my parameters today and they are:
Ph- 7.8
ammonia-0
nitrite-1.0
nitrate-10
Is this possible? Don't you have to have ammonia to have nitrite? HELP!! I'm so confused. I took a sample to lfs for another test and it came out the same.
What do I need to do to correct this?
Thanks all

 

[markeo99]

are you cycling if you are you are on your way bacteria eats amonia turns it into nitrate and so on down the line

 

[padi200]

Bacteria that converts the ammonia to another chemical called nitrite will begin to colonize in the gravel bed of your tank. Nitrite is also toxic, although less so than ammonia.
Now a second type of bacteria will also begin to colonize in the gravel bed and convert the nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate is not so terrible to most fish, but it is not very well tolerated by some of the animals such as corals and invertebrates. Nitrate will gradually accumulate in your tank and can only be effectively removed by regular water changes

 

[Sk8r]

This is guaranteed to work. Take 4-5 tiny flakes of ordinary marine fishfood and drop it into your tank every day until you do see ammonia. Stop dropping in the fishfood. And when the ammonia goes away, you're cycled, and in 2-3 more days (for safety) you can add your first cleanup crew.

 

[padi200]

http://www.rusticgirls.com/images/fish-tank-nitrogen-cycle.gif

This pic tell the entire story, have a look and it will answer your question!

 

[jetmech_05]

Thanks friends, there's just one problem, The tank has been set up since may. It now to spike after I have already put quite a few fish in the tank? I just installed a skimmer on friday. The graph does explain alot to me though.
I'm guessing the last 50 pounds of live rock I got wasn't cured when I put it in the tank. i'm just hoping my emperor makes it through this cycle. I could tolerate losing the others but the emperor would totally p*** me off.