Nitrite and Nitrate are Sky High

[Sdoutreefer]

So, I just recently cycled a tank with ammonium chloride and Dr. Tims One and Only... Did the ammonia dose, with bottle of dr. tims. Waited a few days for Nitrite to spike and come back down, leaving nitrates behind. Everything was going well. Then about a week ago, I added a bottle of pods, and dosed maybe 8-12ml of live phyto (about 3ml every other day since Thursday). I did a water test to see how everything was on Friday evening, and my No2 and No3 is through the roof.

I used both No2 and No3 Salifert Tests and am getting the following:

Nitrite: >/= 4 ppm
Nitrate >/= 100ppm

I don't understand how adding pods and phyto to a cycled tank could spike Nitrites and Nitrates like that. So I left the tank alone for a few days, testing No2 and No3 daily. Again, I tested Nitrite and Nitrate last night. Both tests came back as the above. There is literally nothing in my tank except for the ammonium chloride, nitrifying bacteria, pods and live phyto in my tank.

I used old rock from a tank that I had running about 12 years ago. There's no way that the rock could be curing out, is there?? Does anyone have an idea of what I should be looking for or watching? I did some reading about No2 vs. No3, and it sounds like there's really not viable test out there for Nitrites. I also read in that thread that Nitrites aren't exactly bad for fish, which goes against all of my past experience.

Regardless, anyone have any idea what could be going on?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The nitrate is likely a false positive from the nitrite, which is well known to do that.

The nitrite may be real, but I'd ignore it at this point.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

The nitrate is likely a false positive from the nitrite, which is well known to do that.

The nitrite may be real, but I'd ignore it at this point.

You think go ahead and get my clean-up crew in and a fish or two and see what happens?

 

[rpkneumann]

I wouldn’t rush it with the CUC. They will starve to death quickly.
This was at least my experience in my BioCube.
I then waited until more algae and a decent fish population gave the CUC enough to feast on before I invested again.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You think go ahead and get my clean-up crew in and a fish or two and see what happens?

Did you monitor the ammonia rise and fall directly?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Did you monitor the ammonia rise and fall directly?

I tried buy my ammonia test was worthless.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I tried buy my ammonia test was worthless.

Why do you think that? Did you try testing right after dosing the ammonia?

 

[Dan_P]

So, I just recently cycled a tank with ammonium chloride and Dr. Tims One and Only... Did the ammonia dose, with bottle of dr. tims. Waited a few days for Nitrite to spike and come back down, leaving nitrates behind. Everything was going well. Then about a week ago, I added a bottle of pods, and dosed maybe 8-12ml of live phyto (about 3ml every other day since Thursday). I did a water test to see how everything was on Friday evening, and my No2 and No3 is through the roof.

I used both No2 and No3 Salifert Tests and am getting the following:

Nitrite: >/= 4 ppm
Nitrate >/= 100ppm

I don't understand how adding pods and phyto to a cycled tank could spike Nitrites and Nitrates like that. So I left the tank alone for a few days, testing No2 and No3 daily. Again, I tested Nitrite and Nitrate last night. Both tests came back as the above. There is literally nothing in my tank except for the ammonium chloride, nitrifying bacteria, pods and live phyto in my tank.

I used old rock from a tank that I had running about 12 years ago. There's no way that the rock could be curing out, is there?? Does anyone have an idea of what I should be looking for or watching? I did some reading about No2 vs. No3, and it sounds like there's really not viable test out there for Nitrites. I also read in that thread that Nitrites aren't exactly bad for fish, which goes against all of my past experience.

Regardless, anyone have any idea what could be going on?

Dr Tim’s can take a week or two work. The tank might not be cycled.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Why do you think that? Did you try testing right after dosing the ammonia?

Because I did not buy a great ammonia test. Bought the strips off Amazon and they’re garbage.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Dr Tim’s can take a week or two work. The tank might not be cycled.

You could be right. I’m going on week 4 now since I dosed the tims and ammonium chloride. I would hope I’d be cycled, and all previous tests proved that I was headed in that direction. My other thought was maybe my initial nitrite spike wasn’t real, and this could be the big spike I need. I’m just not sure. A bit baffled currently.

 

[rpkneumann]

I’m in the same phase as you. Day 18 now. I have been dosing ammonium chloride according to Dr Tim’s rules. Stopped 3 days ago when ammonia went up and down after dosing within 24 hrs.
Ammonia zero but nitrite high, nitrate slowly growing.
But … I believe waiting more time will solve this puzzle
Using the Red Sea test kits but am not happy about the color resolution and not covering higher values
Here is my data and progress

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Because I did not buy a great ammonia test. Bought the strips off Amazon and they’re garbage.

That's not an answer to why you think they are not working. They might not be, but perhaps they are and we are trying to help sort things out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m in the same phase as you. Day 18 now. I have been dosing ammonium chloride according to Dr Tim’s rules. Stopped 3 days ago when ammonia went up and down after dosing within 24 hrs.
Ammonia zero but nitrite high, nitrate slowly growing.
But … I believe waiting more time will solve this puzzle
Using the Red Sea test kits but am not happy about the color resolution and not covering higher values
Here is my data and progress

It's certainly fine to wait longer to 'cycle", but there's no reason to.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

That's not an answer to why you think they are not working. They might not be, but perhaps they are and we are trying to help sort things out.

You have a point, but the test strip was the same color as it was prior to the test AFTER I dosed ammonium chloride.

I went ahead and just bought the API ammonia kit. I'll check ammonia once the test gets delivered.

 

[rpkneumann]

It's certainly fine to wait longer to 'cycle", but there's no reason to.

Randy, thank you.
I always thought it was an absolute to have Nitrites on Zero.
Just a bit confusing why nitrites are still high.
So, what you’re saying is go finish out cycle with a water change?
10% -15% ?
Add fish.
I’ll be happy to.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy, thank you.
I always thought it was an absolute to have Nitrites on Zero.
Just a bit confusing why nitrites are still high.
So, what you’re saying is go finish out cycle with a water change?
10% -15% ?
Add fish.
I’ll be happy to.

Nitrite is not toxic in marine systems at any level likely to be attained. The concern about it is a carry over from freshwater systems where it is more toxic. If the system can process ammonia, then it is good to go for a fish or two.

Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[rpkneumann]

Nitrite is not toxic in marine systems at any level likely to be attained. The concern about it is a carry over from freshwater systems where it is more toxic. If the system can process ammonia, then it is good to go for a fish or two.

Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

The system processes ammonia good. I dosed once in a while and next day it’s gone.
Good to know about nitrites.
It always amazes my how chemistry and physics are sometimes misrepresented and turn into long lasting postulates we all follow blindly.
I never want to stop learning and I learned something today thanks to you.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I'm going to go ahead and get a couple fish this weekend. I have to be through the cycle. My tank was real smelly for a little while after i dosed the ammonium chloride and nitrifying bacteria. That smell is gone so I'm thinking it has processed.

 

[rpkneumann]

I suggests you do one last test of Ammonia and the other parameters, plus a good size water change (20%) before you let fish swim in the liquid.
I'm not judging your noses abilities but I think smell is not a good way to test a tank.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I went ahead and ignored my tests, and really leaned into the reliability of my nose and bought some fish and a few frags... whoops.

It's day 3 and all fish are happy. Swimming all over, eating a ton and showing zero signs of stress. I'll keep an eye on them but I plan to do a 20% WC tonight after work.

My frags are also doing very well. Starting to settle in and relax. Everything is looking good