cycling issue ?

[edc5]

My ammonia seems to have spiked and is decreasing but I have 0 nitrites and 20 ppm nitrates ph is 8.4 what gives is my nitrite test bad shouldn't I see a rise in there level since my ammonia is decreasing and my nitrates are on the rise

 

[emonemo420]

id give it a day or two and you sould see some rise in the ites...mine never did rise that much...my ammonia was crazy high...then dropped to zero a day or so later i saw some ites then a few days later it was gone and my ates were at a steady 20 so just give it some time...and your best bet is even when you think its done give it an extra few days ...cause technically your tank still isnt ready after the cycle...dont rush it...

 

[Dustin83]

Ammonia will generally spike because you are introducing load of ammonia into a new tank at first. However, you may or may not see a spike in nitrite. The reason is that your nitrite breaking down bacteria colony slowly increases as more and more ammonia is slowly turned into nitrite. In another word, while adding a pure ammonia or prawn can all of sudden spike the ammonia, it takes time for this ammonia to slowly turn into nitrite, and as soon as little bit of nitrite is avaiable, the remaining colony also develops slowly. That's probably why you already see some nitrate.

What you want to do is to keep introducing ammonia in the tank and try to keep the level consistent. Once your tank has enough colony to fully breakdown the consistent presence of ammonia, you will probably see a little spike in nitrite.

 

[Reefscape]

My ammonia seems to have spiked and is decreasing but I have 0 nitrites and 20 ppm nitrates ph is 8.4 what gives is my nitrite test bad shouldn't I see a rise in there level since my ammonia is decreasing and my nitrates are on the rise

This is exactly what happened with my first tank. I never showed ANY nitrites at all through the entire cycling process.

If the ammonia has spiked, and then falls, it does prove that the nitrosomons (spelling) bacteria is working as this is what converts the ammonia to nitrite..and again, this also proves that the next bacteria, nitrobacter, is also doing its job which is converting any nitrite into nitrates. This is also proved by the fact that you are showing 20ppm on your nitrate test readings.

Personaly, i would not be concerned about it. The only time i would be concerned is if the ammonia does not get converted. I.E raises and stays there...

Just some thoughts which may help.

Niko