Nitrite Level Issues

[Fishy_7]

Hi,
 
I am currently trying to cycle my 175 litre tank but have run into an issue with the nitrite that is confusing.  There are no fish in tank.
 
I have dosed it with NT Labs Filter start, and threw in a small pinch of fish food on day one.  The tank also contains some live plants, some of which has decaying leaves due to being in a holding tank whilst I was moving house.
 
On day 2, ammonia was present on test at 0.25ppm and nitrite was 0. Day 3, ammonia rose to 0.5ppm and nitrite was at 0.25ppm.  Levels remained same for day 4.  However on day 5 (yesterday), the ammonia had risen to 1 ppm but nitrite has dropped to 0.  Not bothered about the raising ammonia but I am scratching my head as to why nitrite has gone back to 0??
 
For the record, Nitrate is stable at 40ppm, which is what it is out of tap.
 
Feedback appreciated.  Thanks.

 

[the_lock_man]

Well, it could be because the Filter Start product has worked (miracles do happen ) and the nitrite has been processed. The amount of nitrate which would appear from 0.5 or 1 ppm of ammonia is no more than about 5ppm, so probably not enough for you to notice a difference on the nitrate test.
 
Either that or the reading of 0.5 on days 3 & 4 was erroneous.

 

[Fishy_7]

Thanks for reply, from what I understand, if the bacteria is present to change the Amm to Nitrite, then wouldn't the Amm be zero as well?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

On API and other typical hobby test kits the maximum amount of nitrite that each 1 ppm of ammonia should create is 2.55 ppm.
 
Flake food is a very poor ammonia creator. In fact it is as bad a choice for this as you can find. Get real ammonia, get ammonium chloride, if you can't, use cut raw shrimp or fish. Any of they makes ammonia better than flakes. Using actual ammonia is the best route as it allows you to control everything well. Adding stuff to rot is messy, inaccurate and also likely to produce a bacterial bloom.
 
My bet is your test results are not accurate. What specific bacteria are in the NT stuff? Many bacterial starter products do not work well at all.

 

[the_lock_man]

Thanks for reply, from what I understand, if the bacteria is present to change the Amm to Nitrite, then wouldn't the Amm be zero as well?

 
It depends on whether all the flake food had completely decomposed.
 
I completely agree with TTA above, flake food as an ammonia source is about as bad as you can get, though.

 

[Ninjouzata]

HERE is a list of ammonia sources, incase you had trouble finding ammonia and that is why you're using something like flakes.

 

[Fishy_7]

Thanks guys!  Appreciate this