water quality

[rsulliv3]

In a few of my tanks the water quality values seem to have trouble getting over the hump from nitrite to nitrate is there any suggestions how to best assist with the nitrogen cycle process. They have been well established but have at times recently shown odd values such as high ammonia and low nitrates but Nitrites have been either on par or near zero.

Example

ammonia 0.1
nitrite 1.4
nitrate 0

This ones seems to have a issue getting over the hurtle from nitrite to nitrate

Another tank

ammonia 0.2
nitrite 0
nitrate 1

 

[homer1475]

I would be question the validity of your tests.

Any presence of nitrites will show abnormally high nitrates.

So your reading of 1.4 nitrites and 0 nitrates is very questionable.

 

[mdb_talon]

I would personally not worry about nitrites in any case. As for ammonia a good test is if you can add 1 or 2 ppm ammonia(assuming here an empty tank) and test in 12 and 24 hours. If it goes almost all away and you still showing .1 or .2 I would say the tank is processing ammonia fine and it's more of a testing issue