The Puffer Forum

Any thoughts would be really appreciated!

Here's the deal ATM:

Ammonia now consistently O ppm after each 2.0 dosage 24 hours later.

However, Nitrites are constantly 1.0 without change (higher or lower)

aannnddd NITRATES are 160+ ppm everyday!!! WTH?!!!

I have done 80% water changes twice: Ammonia 0, Nitrite .5, Nitrate 20ppm

24 hrs later: Ammonia 0, Nitrite 1.0, Nitrates 160+

Question 1: How could I have so much Nitrate without nitrites lowering?

Question 2: Should I just leave the Nitrates this high OR will this inhibit nitrite eating bacteria?

I'm really at a loss.

Could use some help.

Thanks again!!!

anyone?

Well, some of your nitrites are getting converted; otherwise, they'd just keep getting higher and higher. Your bacteria just hasn't quite caught up yet, I guess. It's probably going to be a matter of patience.

Thank you for the reply LGP!!!

Just realized I wasn't doing the Nitratetest wrong (forgetting to shake the beaker 5 seconds with 1st bottle added !)

So maybe Nitrates aren't as bad as I thought.

This process is a torture!!!

My patience is spent.

Come ON nitrite bacteria!!!!!!!!

Thanks LGP