Cycling Question

[PA_fishlover]

I started cycling my 40g tank on Aug 23. My ammonia levels are hitting 0 at least every 12 hours now. Nitrites showed up on Sept 2 and have been off the charts for about a week now. Nitrates are still only between 5 and 10. Is this normal for the nitrates to take this long to rise?

Lisa

 

[CezzaXV]

The bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate usually take twice as long to develop as those which convert ammonia.

I'm guessing you meant nitrite in one of your sentences?