Nitrites and Nitrates both falling at almost the same rate?

[lkoechle]

So Nitrite and Nitrate were off the charts several days ago, now both are falling to respectable levels. Nitrite tested at 1 today and Nitrate was at 10. But from my understanding of the cycling process, that should not be happening and my nitrates should still be a bit higher. I haven't seen this before. Nitrites are falling faster then the Nitrate, but it still seems odd to me.

 

To be noted though, I did start using Seachem's test kit where I've used API in the past. Maybe the kits read differently? I know the kit is accurate though and I'm not getting false readings since Seachem gives you a base kit so you know your kit is reading properly. Plus I have a 10 gallon clown tank and they're readings are exactly what I expect them to be.

 

Ideas? I'm thinking of taking a sample to the LFS before stocking once the nitrites are zeroed out. I just have never seen the nitrates fall at a similar rate to the nitrites. My nitrites have always been lower before I start seeing the nitrate fall, not both falling at the same time at close to the same rate...

 

Opinions?

[Pinner Reef]

I've never seen my nitrates "fall"...ever. What are you using for filtration? Are you doing waterchanges?

[lkoechle]

I am currently cycling. So no filtration other then the rock i am cultivating and no water changes. The nitrates fall. At the end of the cycle but not usually until the nitrites are at zero or close to. What i have been observing is both falling at almost the same rate instead of the nitrites peaking and then falling, followed by the nitrates peaking and then falling.

[LynkUK]

Live rock or dry rock? One scenario I can imagine this happening is if the cycle started with nitrates and it just so happens that the nitrrate reducing bacteria have grown to a point that they can reduce the nitrate as its been converted from nitrites. More probable with live rock though.

[lkoechle]

Dry rock but we were dosing microbacter religiously. So maybe?

[Azedenkae]

Most likely. It doesn't always have to be ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate increasing and falling respectively. That's one of the most common misconception with cycling.

 

If you have plenty of bacteria that are able to break down each type, then they can all fall concurrently.

[LynkUK]

Just as an extra food for thought. My cycle eventually started showing 0 nitrites last thursday. At that same time my nitrates were reading 75 ppm! Today i tested and nitrates had dropped to 10 ppm...even accounting for a 50% water change over the weekend that was a fast drop...a pleasant surprise though