Ammonia And Nitrites But No Fish?

[julielynn47]

When I was testing the water in my 10 gallon that I am setting up, I got the following readings
 
PH - 7.3
Nitrite - .25
Nitrate - 0
Ammonia - .25
KH - 4
GH - 5
Phosphates - between 0 and 2.5
 
 
It is confusing to me how I can have ammonia and nitrite levels when I have no inhabitants.  If this normal? I mean, it must be normal, because it is happening . But I thought I had to have live inhabitants or being putting ammonia in myself, which I am not.
 
Any thoughts?
 
 

 

[Byron]

I would test your tap water on its own for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate.  That will tell you if any of these are in the source water.

 

[julielynn47]

 I have tested the source water. No ammonia or nitrite in it

 

[Akasha72]

it must be leeching out of something you have added to the tank if it's not in the source water. Did you wash the substrate well before adding it? Have you added anything else to this tank?

 

[julielynn47]

I have not added anything since I set it up. It has the same substrate, the same plants. Nothing has changed at all.  I also have a small diatom bloom going on, and I know that is normal for a new tank.  So I don't know. It is mystifying to me.  I has been set up for about a month or so.

 

[StevenF]

Was anything in this aquarium used in another progect in the past?  Some other possible causes:
1. bad reading from the test kit.
2. Fertilizer that came with the plants.
3. Your plants are dying or you have a dying algae or bacterial bloom.
4. Rotting wood.
5. Nutrients released by the substrate.  What type of substrate is bing used?
 
A complete list of what is in the aquarium would be usefull.

 

[julielynn47]

I have sand, bought at Petco, and rinsed.
The following plants, water wistera, amazon sword, java plant and anubias.
No wood to rot.
Nothing from another tank.
No dying plants, or they sure do not look like they are dying, they look to be doing great.
 
I tested the 55 gallon with the same test kit and it tested fine.  Very confusing

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Does your water supply company use chloramines?

 

[julielynn47]

Not that i know of. They use chlorine


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cowgirluntamed]

I'd almost say you may have some rotting leaves,maybe like the wisteria? I know it can grow crazy so maybe you just don't see them? I had a plant only ten gallon that did a small cycle on its own and some plants were dying. (They came in bad but was trying to save them.) So maybe it's possible you have some small leaves hidden away some where?

 

[julielynn47]

Maybe so. They dont look like they are dying but some leaves may have done just that and i just didnt notice. I was really confused when i checked the water this morning

 

[Akasha72]

strange ... but look on the bright side ... with readings for ammonia and nitrite the filter will be developing bacteria from it so maybe it's working in your favour

 

[julielynn47]

LOL, That is what I was thinking Akasha.  I have the bio media in my 55's filter housing right now.  I am going to check the water again later today and, if it is still reading the way it was, I am going to move the media over to the 10 and see what happens