High nitrite

[Knoxjoelee]

Doing water changes every 2 days an is still high shoul I be concerned

 

[LetItReef]

Nitrite not much of a concern, compare to Nitrate and Ammonia, IMO. The water change every 2 days may shock the livestock.

 

[diablomaster9045]

High nitrites are a sign that your tank has not properly cycled.

 

[jman9331]

How long has your tank been up and running?

 

[Knoxjoelee]

It's been up for two weeks with live rock ,noticed a lot of worms an chitons were dying checked ammonia was 0 but nitrite was really high.

 

[glb]

It's been up for two weeks with live rock ,noticed a lot of worms an chitons were dying checked ammonia was 0 but nitrite was really high.

That's normal when you're starting out. There's all sorts of stuff in the rocks that won't survive the cycle. Nitrites are toxic but not as toxic as ammonia. Your tank is still cycling if you have nitrites. The cycle will be done when you have zero ammonia and zero nitrites. You'll have nitrates at the end and that's when you should do a water change unless you already have fish in the tank, which I wouldn't recommend. Changing the water if there's nothing in the tank will just prolong the cycle. Good luck!!

 

[glb]

Nitrite not much of a concern, compare to Nitrate and Ammonia, IMO. The water change every 2 days may shock the livestock.

I'm pretty sure that ammonia and nitrites are the ones to worry about. Nitrates are the least toxic of the three.

 

[Knoxjoelee]

So don't do water changes yet?

 

[HiddenUser]

So don't do water changes yet?

Nope - Just let it ride until Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0, then do you water change. Your tank is still cycling.

 

[jman9331]

Nope - Just let it ride until Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0, then do you water change. Your tank is still cycling.

+1 to this

 

[Knoxjoelee]

Ok cool was all nervous there for awhile thinkin what did I get myself into.

 

[Knoxjoelee]

One more question I got a cannister filter should I clean that or let that ride also?

 

[glb]

One more question I got a cannister filter should I clean that or let that ride also?

You need to keep it clean so it doesn't become a nitrate factory. But be careful how you clean it. Next time you change the water, take out the media in the canister and swish it around in the tank water you just took out. If you do it this way, the beneficial bacteria in the media won't be disturbed.

 

[Dalmatia]

Add bottled ammonia till your nitrites and ammonia both read 0ppm
If your at 0ppm with ammonia your bacteria will die off (ammonia is food for them). Till you have enough bacteria in your tank to convert your nitrites to nitrite, your still in a cycle

 

[Knoxjoelee]

I got bacteria

 

[Dalmatia]

Yes

 

[Dalmatia]

That's a good thing

 

[beaslbob]

I like using macro algae (usually in a refugium) to establish a tank.
that said I would stop adding food until nitrItes drop down. once that starts they will be unmeasureable in a couple of days.
my .02

 

[Dalmatia]

I like using macro algae (usually in a refugium) to establish a tank.
that said I would stop adding food until nitrItes drop down. once that starts they will be unmeasureable in a couple of days.
my .02

Never tried it but yaaa, sounds like a good idea

 

[Dalmatia]

Makes a lot of sense