nitrites in a year old tank

[jrlg]

I have a Hannah nitrite tester and have always tested >1ppm (9 or less on the tester since it is in ppb) but the this week it tested 10 and now 15 which would be .01ppm and .015 ppm. Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill or is something starting? I have had no known deaths in the tank and a water change last week and did siphon the sand bed a bit, which I am thinking is the issue. All fish, snails and invertebrates are acting ok.
Since this is a water question here is the rest of the stats testing was done on 5/12/20, wc was done on 5/10/20
temp 79.5
Ammonia 0 salifert
nitrates 10ppm salifert
phosphates 0 salifert
calcium 445 salifert
Alk 7.6 Hannah
salt 1.026
Ph 8.15 salifert
did not test mag but was 1400 on 5/5/20

 

[Lasse]

Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill

Yes of different reason

First - the result from the meter is in NO2-N - it means that you only read the concentration of the N atom in the NO2 molecule. In order to have the NO2 concentration you should multiply your reading with 3,29. Your normal NO2 concentration is below 9*3.26 = 29 ppb NO2 -> 0,029 ppm. Your reading of 15 ppb NO2-N is around 50 ppb NO2 -> 0.05 ppm. Your meter has an accuracy of ± 20 ppb NO2-N -> ± 65.8 ppb NO2 -> ± 0,065 ppm NO2. With this in mind - your reading of 15 ppb could in reality be between 0 and 0.035 ppm NO2-N ( 0 - 0.114 ppm NO2). in english - you can't trust the readings - it is an useless tool in this low levels

But if the reading reflect a real value - if your checker is a super checker?

According to toxicity - these levels of NO2 is not even acute toxic in freshwater. In saltwater - nema problema even in the long run

However - if your readings is really real - it can indicate a downgoing of the effectiveness of the nitrification cycle. Probably cause - the siphoning of the gravel. Most nitrification in the gravel take place in the absolute upper interface between water and gravel.

But - IMO - you can´t know anything because these checkers have low reliability in these low levels of NO2. Your reading of 0 in NO3 also confirm a fault in checker readings. If you have a real NO2 reading of 0.1 ppm as an example - the NO3 readings of automatic reasons would be around 5. Why - saliferts method convert most NO3 into NO2 and after that reads the NO2 concentration. The colour chart use an multiplication factor in order to show a NO3 level and of experiences - it looks like that factor for Salifert is around 50.

To be short - your NO2 readings do not worry me - however readings of zero NO3 and PO4 is more serious for me.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[brandon429]

Nitrite doesn’t matter in the least, simply cease testing for nitrite at any stage of reefing unless it’s just to watch natural ups and downs occur. Dont alter course around the readings or buy products to refresh the system, not needed

 

[jrlg]

To be short - your NO2 readings do not worry me - however readings of zero NO3 and PO4 is more serious for me.

I am concerned about the phosphates since the tank has been running its been non-existent. When I cycled the tank I did bleach/power wash dry rock - rinsed off and air dried the rocks while building the rock work on the back patio took over two months and then cycled the tank with fishless with rock for about 4.5 - 5 months then added chaeto from Algae barn with some other mirco algae - the other algae didn't make it but the chaeto is going strong. Also rinsed dry sand before putting in the tank. Long story short the tank has no detris/filter feeders ie bristle worms little serpent/ Asteria Starfish. So I don't feel like the sand is getting enough movement from critters to help with the overall health of the tank I also see zero copepods or amphipods, I have heard they are in there.... but I placed rocks so I could see in the cracks and crevasses (My old tank was swarming with them along with everything else you got with wet rock 10 years ago) see photos below, I only have led strips over the top but have a kessil light for the refugium, there is plenty of green below and the rocks are green with coralline algae coming in nicely. Even though the tank is a year old I am hesitant on getting a sand sifting starfish due to the sterile like environment. I will be able to see what exactly is in my water, I did just get a microscope but waiting on sides, it didn't come with slides...…..

 

[jrlg]

Nitrite doesn’t matter in the least,

I'm agreeing with that statement because on the level of how none of the tank inhabitants are showing any signs of stress

 

[Lasse]

Is it a only fish tank with only weak LED strips over it??

Sincerely Lasse

 

[jrlg]

yes I do have weak LED strip lights for the DT and it is fish only, wanted the tank established before adding corals. the lights will be the biggest and most important purchase so I wanted to plan an find out my options, I want LED and want max control so have settled on getting 5 XR15 G5 PROs.….. but production delayed that earlier this month and finding out there is a potential salary reduction from work has also pushed back the purchase TBD..... I have started up a 40B QT for fish so was also planning on adding more live stock as well, currently my 220g tank has 6 fish in it......