Help! Nitrites shot out of roof!

[Mastiffsrule]

5ppm is getting high, 10 is what we really want to avoid. I think moving them may be a good idea.

But first, just to check. Take some (edit rodi) water and test it for nitrites. Want to be sure and rule out any potential issues with the test.

Let’s bring in @Flippers4pups or #reefsquad also.

 

[rkpetersen]

Nitrite is quite nontoxic to saltwater fish. The situation is different than with freshwater fish, due to competition for nitrite update by chloride in saltwater.
You're unlikely to hit a nitrite level that is harmful to most saltwater fish. 10 ppm is no concern, even 100 ppm is ok in most cases.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php
If your fish are looking unwell, it's likely something else.
If you're not measuring copper level, my guess is either copper toxicity or the infection you're treating with copper.
If you're just using copper prophylactically, I'd get rid of it with a big water change and Cuprisorb or Polyfilter (GAC won't do it.)
You can usually use freshly mixed saltwater within 1 hour, as long as it's the right temperature and salinity.
If your fish recover, you can consider starting over with Copper Power and a Hanna high range Copper Checker for best results.

 

[laurendonatella]

5ppm is getting high, 10 is what we really want to avoid. I think moving them may be a good idea.

But first, just to check. Take some (edit rodi) water and test it for nitrites. Want to be sure and rule out any potential issues with the test.

Let’s bring in @Flippers4pups or #reefsquad also.

Wow thank you! Ok will do

 

[Flippers4pups]

If not using a seeded sponge or bio wheel for biological filtration, recommend water changes to reduce your levels and re dose cupramine to proper levels when reduced.

P.s just read the nitrite level op stated. Shouldn't be a issue.

 

[chinw76]

cycle the tank quick, goto petco and get a bottle of Bio Spira bacteria. It will instant cycle without any problems. It is live bacteria. I used this when I put 10 fish in the QT tank, I set the tank up the day before. I cycled it and used copper at the same time. You should not have any problems after that.

 

[laurendonatella]

Nitrite is quite nontoxic to saltwater fish. The situation is different than with freshwater fish, due to competition for nitrite update by chloride in saltwater.
You're unlikely to hit a nitrite level that is harmful to most saltwater fish. 10 ppm is no concern, even 100 ppm is ok in most cases.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php
If your fish are looking unwell, it's likely something else.
If you're not measuring copper level, my guess is either copper toxicity or the infection you're treating with copper.
If you're just using copper prophylactically, I'd get rid of it with a big water change and Cuprisorb or Polyfilter (GAC won't do it.)
You can usually use freshly mixed saltwater within 1 hour, as long as it's the right temperature.

im sure you’re right... although part of what got me worried is that my Starcki Damsels head is brown. Usually it is bright yellow. Did some research and saw brown gills could be a sign of nitrate toxicity. Then I pulled out the test and my nitrates are out of control. Just tested copper and those levels are good.

 

[laurendonatella]

cycle the tank quick, goto petco and get a bottle of Bio Spira bacteria. It will instant cycle without any problems. It is live bacteria. I used this when I put 10 fish in the QT tank, I set the tank up the day before. I cycled it and used copper at the same time. You should not have any problems after that.

Omg thanks- will do it now!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Nitrite is quite nontoxic to saltwater fish

Good to know. Was always under impression it would be until converted to nitrate., did not know freshwater and marine were different.
Good read on the reefkeeping site. Thanks. @rkpetersen

 

[rkpetersen]

Good read on the reefkeeping site. Thanks.

By this forum's own @Randy Holmes-Farley.
All his online reefkeeping articles are good reads!

 

[laurendonatella]

Article is encouraging! Hopefully I won’t loose these fish!

 

[chinw76]

Omg thanks- will do it now!

You will be fine. Just make sure you have media for the bacteria to bind to. I would keep a bottle of bio spira on hand if you ever need to setup a qt fast.

 

[Ferrell]

I use the sponge filters from BRS ($5) in my qt with dr Tim’s Copper Power and a Hanna checker. Copper power is scalable and allows mixing of WC water to the current level of QT so you can keep therapeutic levels for required time. But always make sure you are aerating when using meds. Good luck

 

[laurendonatella]

Thank you! I actually just ordered copper safe and hoping it is a little easier to work with. Thanks again

 

[Kal93]

I just had this happen last month! One of my starfish melted and caused a cascade in which my 3 other starfish also melted. Could anything be dead?

I did a 30% water change and dosed prime and macrobacter daily. Took ~1 week for parameters to return to normal.

 

[laurendonatella]

So weird! Nothing does but I’ve gotten it to stabilize finally. Tons of WCs and dosing bio spira. But seriously one of my fish’s heads turned totally brown so I think my levels were way high!

Still trying to figure out how it happened. It is my first time dosing Cupramine so I’m wondering if there is any chance that the copper knocked out my bio wheel? And I know I over feed so that couldn’t have helped. Honestly that’s all I can think of but could be wrong.