Denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), are two competing pathways in nitrate reducing process. In this study, a series of C/S ratios from 8:1 to 2:4 was investigated in a sequencing biofilm batch reactor (SBBR) to determine the role of reducers (sulfide and acetate) on their competition. The results showed the proportion of DNRA increased in high electron system, either in organic rich or in sulfide rich system. The highest DNRA ratio increased to 16.7% at the C/S ratio of 2:3. Excess electron donors, particularly sulfide, were favorable for DNRA in a limited nitrate environment. Moreover, a higher reductive environment (ORP <-400 mV) can be used as an indicator for the occurrence of DNRA. 16s RNA analysis demonstrated that Grobacter was the main functional bacteria of DNRA in the organic rich system, while Alphaproteobacteria and Desulfomicrobium were dominant DNRA bacteria in the sulfide rich system. DNRA cultivation could enrich nitrogen conversion pathways in conventional denitrification systems. This provides the great insight into nitrogen removal in high nitrogen containing sewage with low C/N.