Nitrites present already?

Meglovin · 12/05/2012, 11:47 PM

I set up my first saltwater tank on Sunday. It is a 29 BioCube and looks beautiful so far. I added 5 pounds of "live" sand (which I've since realized was probably a waste), about 15 pounds of dead rock, and 5 pounds (2 pieces) of live rock. A heater was installed Sunday night and it has been fluctuating between 82-84*F for the cycle. I started ghost feeding the tank on Sunday, so I am now on day 3 of the cycle. On Monday I tested the ammonia in the tank, and it was 0. Today, however, I tested it again, and my results were a little surprising.

Ammonia was between 0.25-0.5 ppm and my nitrites were 0.25. It seems a little early for nitrites to be present; is this too good to be true? Or is it a possibility? I recall from my freshwater tanks that my nitrites would not appear until week 2 typically... I suppose I was expecting the same here.

For the record, I'll be adding more sand this weekend (I work at Petsmart and we get a larger discount this weekend) and plan on adding a few other pieces of live rock. The rock I purchased was "man-made" and full of the purple algae, which the guy said was good, and he said it wouldn't contain any hitchhikers. It was also a lot cheaper than the Fiji rock. But from what I understand, I may want some hitchhikers in my tank... so I'm considering picking up some Fiji (or equivalent) live rock this weekend as well.

Thank you all for your insight!

mcgyvr · 12/06/2012, 06:28 AM

all part of the process..

Meglovin · 12/06/2012, 01:08 PM

Thank you; it just seemed far too sudden for nitrites to be present after only three days.

12/05/2012, 11:47 PM	#1
Meglovin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: USA Posts: 48	Nitrites present already? I set up my first saltwater tank on Sunday. It is a 29 BioCube and looks beautiful so far. I added 5 pounds of "live" sand (which I've since realized was probably a waste), about 15 pounds of dead rock, and 5 pounds (2 pieces) of live rock. A heater was installed Sunday night and it has been fluctuating between 82-84*F for the cycle. I started ghost feeding the tank on Sunday, so I am now on day 3 of the cycle. On Monday I tested the ammonia in the tank, and it was 0. Today, however, I tested it again, and my results were a little surprising. Ammonia was between 0.25-0.5 ppm and my nitrites were 0.25. It seems a little early for nitrites to be present; is this too good to be true? Or is it a possibility? I recall from my freshwater tanks that my nitrites would not appear until week 2 typically... I suppose I was expecting the same here. For the record, I'll be adding more sand this weekend (I work at Petsmart and we get a larger discount this weekend) and plan on adding a few other pieces of live rock. The rock I purchased was "man-made" and full of the purple algae, which the guy said was good, and he said it wouldn't contain any hitchhikers. It was also a lot cheaper than the Fiji rock. But from what I understand, I may want some hitchhikers in my tank... so I'm considering picking up some Fiji (or equivalent) live rock this weekend as well. Thank you all for your insight!

12/06/2012, 06:28 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	all part of the process.. __________________ Who me?

12/06/2012, 01:08 PM	#3
Meglovin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: USA Posts: 48	Thank you; it just seemed far too sudden for nitrites to be present after only three days.