nitrite in qt

1mtnbkr1mtnbkr · 03/21/2007, 12:59 PM

I am starting up a new 100 gallon tank, started jan 1. I just purchased a couple of fish that I have in a QT, i was planning to Quarantine them for 4-5 weeks before putting them in the big tank.

I set up the qt using water from the 100 gal with a sponge filter , the sponge has been in the large tank since the beginning. the qt has been up for just three days ans i did a partial change last night. I threw in some LR hoping that might help, i would take it out if I need to medicate.

ammonia 0
nitrite .25
nitrate 10

My question is how much nitrite is OK? I will do another wc tonight, should i continue with the quarantine or put them in the tank? There is only a lawnmower blenny in there now.

Henry Bowman · 03/21/2007, 02:49 PM

With your nitrates and nitrites at the levels listed, you should be OK for a fish QT. If you are going with SPS (Hard corals) you will have to be careful. It is difficult to get these (nitrate and nitrite) to near 0 levels. Most folks with SPS tanks use deep sand beds or nitrite reactors to get the levels below 10ppm or so.

HTH

03/21/2007, 12:59 PM	#1
1mtnbkr1mtnbkr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chino Hills CA Posts: 20	nitrite in qt I am starting up a new 100 gallon tank, started jan 1. I just purchased a couple of fish that I have in a QT, i was planning to Quarantine them for 4-5 weeks before putting them in the big tank. I set up the qt using water from the 100 gal with a sponge filter , the sponge has been in the large tank since the beginning. the qt has been up for just three days ans i did a partial change last night. I threw in some LR hoping that might help, i would take it out if I need to medicate. ammonia 0 nitrite .25 nitrate 10 My question is how much nitrite is OK? I will do another wc tonight, should i continue with the quarantine or put them in the tank? There is only a lawnmower blenny in there now.

03/21/2007, 02:49 PM	#2
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	With your nitrates and nitrites at the levels listed, you should be OK for a fish QT. If you are going with SPS (Hard corals) you will have to be careful. It is difficult to get these (nitrate and nitrite) to near 0 levels. Most folks with SPS tanks use deep sand beds or nitrite reactors to get the levels below 10ppm or so. HTH __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works