Returning to Fish keeping with Fluval Edge

It's entirely possible and very common to show both nitrite and nitrate. Remember, different bacteria perform the two oxidization steps. Essentially the NH3-to-NO2 bacteria are at a population where the ammonia can be converted completely; however, the NO2-to-NO3 bacteria population is still establishing.
 
It's entirely possible and very common to show both nitrite and nitrate. Remember, different bacteria perform the two oxidization steps. Essentially the NH3-to-NO2 bacteria are at a population where the ammonia can be converted completely; however, the NO2-to-NO3 bacteria population is still establishing.

So should I continue to dose ammonia to 3ppm?


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Definitely do so. Gotta feed the bacteria that make nitrites so they can, in turn, feed the bacteria that create nitrates.
 
Patience may be a virtue, but no one's accused me of being virtuous, so I understand the frustration.
 
Patience may be a virtue, but no one's accused me of being virtuous, so I understand the frustration.

Tell me about it. At least I'm consistently showing at least 5ppm of nitrates. So they are there, just a matter of waiting for them to take over I suppose. My fish guy Ed just got in some nice CPDs. Says they are hard to come by here in central CT. Going to slap about 8 of them in there when the tank's ready, and that will be all.


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Ok, ran an afternoon test and my nitrates have climed to between 20-40ppm. Ammonia between .5 and 1ppm (dosed around 11 pm last night) and nitrites are steady at 5ppm. Will bring ammonia back up to 3ppm tonight. Think I can expect a drop in nitrites sometime this week?


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Nitrite consumers are slower to develop than ammonia consumers. That ammonia is disappearing and nitrites aren't climbing indicates the population is present, so maybe? But the proof is in the testing.
 
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