Nitrite question

[Ubergroover]

So, for the last 2 months my readings have been , zero ammonia, nitrite and .25-.5 nitrate. today I test my water and my nitrite is .25 and nitrate is .5. I have some zoa's, and xenia's. So I started using reef roids. I suspect this is the culprit of my readings...is there a better food or this is just how it goes?

 

[Brew12]

So, for the last 2 months my readings have been , zero ammonia, nitrite and .25-.5 nitrate. today I test my water and my nitrite is .25 and nitrate is .5. I have some zoa's, and xenia's. So I started using reef roids. I suspect this is the culprit of my readings...is there a better food or this is just how it goes?

Don't worry about nitrites in a marine aquarium. Not only are there many things that can cause a false positive nitrite reading but nitrites aren't nearly as bad for marine fish as for fresh water fish. The same receptors in a fish that would absorb nitrites have a higher affinity for chlorides. Because of this, the salt (sodium chloride) in the water protects the fish from the nitrites.

 

[Zack K]

What test kits are you using? I know the API kits give false readings on occasion. But as stated above nitrite is not as big of a deal as Ammonia and Nitrate

 

[Ubergroover]

What test kits are you using? I know the API kits give false readings on occasion. But as stated above nitrite is not as big of a deal as Ammonia and Nitrate

When I bought the setup I got a API kit...on occasion I think its wrong on some things so I test more than once. the exp date on it 2021..are there better test kits?

 

[Zack K]

When I bought the setup I got a API kit...on occasion I think its wrong on some things so I test more than once. the exp date on it 2021..are there better test kits?

To be fair. Any test kit is better than API. Most reefers you will find swear by the Red Sea test kits. I like the NYOS test kits.

 

[40B Knasty]

My LFS guy that I only trust just told me about Elos. I have an API kit. He tested my water. Well let's just say it was off. Thank god it was in a good way. My salinity calibration was the one that really got me mad. It was calibrating a 1.0235 which was really a 1.027. Stay away come Aqua Craft Products.
Here is the reason why to use Elos and the only reason you need.

• NIST validation: each batch of elos reagents are validated using NIST (National Institute of Standard and Technology) samples.

 

[Ubergroover]

Don't worry about nitrites in a marine aquarium. Not only are there many things that can cause a false positive nitrite reading but nitrites aren't nearly as bad for marine fish as for fresh water fish. The same receptors in a fish that would absorb nitrites have a higher affinity for chlorides. Because of this, the salt (sodium chloride) in the water protects the fish from the nitrites.

Wow...good to know! thank you