toxic nitrite level?

Jason Donohoe · 11/21/2008, 08:43 AM

Is a nitrite level of 0.5 anything to worry about? It is in a QT tank that I introduced a tang into yesterday. The ammonia level is zero (or at least below the level of the test). Does it warrant a water change at this point or should I monitor the levels to be sure the bio filter is kicking in and beginning to convert it to nitrate?

Rueg · 11/21/2008, 09:34 AM

Yes, that should be a concern. The biological filtration doesn't seem to have cycled in yet. How long has the tank been set up? A water change may help, but really the biological filtration needs to establish itself.

Jason Donohoe · 11/21/2008, 09:36 AM

I starte quarantining some live rock in the tank aprox 2 weeks ago. There is a cannister filter with coarse foam pads and a protein skimmer also.

Jason Donohoe · 11/21/2008, 09:37 AM

I started quarantining some live rock in the tank aprox 2 weeks ago. There is a cannister filter with coarse foam pads and a protein skimmer also.

Boomer · 11/21/2008, 10:49 AM

No is does not require a water change. This all has been a long misunderstood myth. Nitrite is not toxic in seawater but is quite toxic in fresh water. In seawater, fish are protected by the Chloride ion, which is 19,000 ppm and about nil in fresh water. Toxicity levels of Nitrite are on the orders of 100's of ppm and many 1000's ppm. An no, for those wondering, "nitrite" is not a typo error for nitrate.

If you start to do water changes to lower the nitrite you will just delay the cycle time making it longer to achieve 0 nitrite. You should not have added the fish yet as it is a QT and they can be very tricky. I would worry now about the ammonia becoming re-elevated. So, it should be checked daily to make sure it does not rise.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/21/2008, 10:58 AM

I show that nitrite is not toxic in seawater in this article:

Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm

Jason Donohoe · 11/21/2008, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the peace of mind. I will to continue to monitor ammonia levels daily.

Any suggestions on how to better cycle the qt tank next time? I am planning on leaving it empty and only filling it when I find something to go in the display tank.

PS Randy, thank you for 2 saves in one day! (you also answered my pH question post)

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/21/2008, 01:26 PM

You're welcome.

I usually just put some excess live rock in a QT tank, but if you have a sponge filter running in your sump for at least a few weeks before needing it, it can probably do the job well too.

Rickydon · 12/26/2017, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

You're welcome.

I usually just put some excess live rock in a QT tank, but if you have a sponge filter running in your sump for at least a few weeks before needing it, it can probably do the job well too.

Hi Randy just set up a profile on here but not new to the forum
I appreciate your advice as well .
Quick question I just set up a 55 fish only that I'm gonna use as a qt as well
I have a 180 gal cylinder display tank as well
I have moved over two filter pads from my sump and now a pound of live rock because had .25 of nitrite 0 nitrate and only a trace if ammonia.
Any suggestions?

bertoni · 12/26/2017, 10:15 PM

To Reef Central

Randy isn't posting here anymore.

When the nitrite and ammonia are gone, the tank should be ready to go, although I might wait a bit since something on the live rock might die.

11/21/2008, 08:43 AM	#1
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 638	toxic nitrite level? Is a nitrite level of 0.5 anything to worry about? It is in a QT tank that I introduced a tang into yesterday. The ammonia level is zero (or at least below the level of the test). Does it warrant a water change at this point or should I monitor the levels to be sure the bio filter is kicking in and beginning to convert it to nitrate?

11/21/2008, 09:36 AM	#3
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 638	I starte quarantining some live rock in the tank aprox 2 weeks ago. There is a cannister filter with coarse foam pads and a protein skimmer also. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bowfront softie tank

11/21/2008, 09:37 AM	#4
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 638	I started quarantining some live rock in the tank aprox 2 weeks ago. There is a cannister filter with coarse foam pads and a protein skimmer also. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bowfront softie tank

11/21/2008, 10:49 AM	#5
Boomer Bomb Technician (EOD) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 11,842	No is does not require a water change. This all has been a long misunderstood myth. Nitrite is not toxic in seawater but is quite toxic in fresh water. In seawater, fish are protected by the Chloride ion, which is 19,000 ppm and about nil in fresh water. Toxicity levels of Nitrite are on the orders of 100's of ppm and many 1000's ppm. An no, for those wondering, "nitrite" is not a typo error for nitrate. If you start to do water changes to lower the nitrite you will just delay the cycle time making it longer to achieve 0 nitrite. You should not have added the fish yet as it is a QT and they can be very tricky. I would worry now about the ammonia becoming re-elevated. So, it should be checked daily to make sure it does not rise. __________________ If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up Seawater Chemistry, Geology, ID Marine Life, Collecting Science Books, Explosives Technology, Audiophile An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be. Last edited by Boomer; 11/21/2008 at 11:10 AM.

11/21/2008, 10:58 AM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I show that nitrite is not toxic in seawater in this article: Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

11/21/2008, 09:34 AM	#2
Rueg Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: DeForest, WI Posts: 641	Yes, that should be a concern. The biological filtration doesn't seem to have cycled in yet. How long has the tank been set up? A water change may help, but really the biological filtration needs to establish itself.

11/21/2008, 11:53 AM	#7
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 638	Thanks for the peace of mind. I will to continue to monitor ammonia levels daily. Any suggestions on how to better cycle the qt tank next time? I am planning on leaving it empty and only filling it when I find something to go in the display tank. PS Randy, thank you for 2 saves in one day! (you also answered my pH question post) __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bowfront softie tank

11/21/2008, 01:26 PM	#8
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	You're welcome. I usually just put some excess live rock in a QT tank, but if you have a sponge filter running in your sump for at least a few weeks before needing it, it can probably do the job well too. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/26/2017, 10:15 PM	#10
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	*To Reef Central* Randy isn't posting here anymore. When the nitrite and ammonia are gone, the tank should be ready to go, although I might wait a bit since something on the live rock might die. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni