nitrite level

[captedcm]

when a new tank flips how low will the nitrite level go down?

[IvanTheTerrible]

Originally Posted by captedcm

when a new tank flips how low will the nitrite level go down?

During the initial cycle ammonia and nitrite will normally spike and then fall to zero. Nitrate will remain above zero and you should check the level before adding livestock.

- Ivan

[Timfish]

I was at a friends house when they pulled out a test kit I didn't recognize. Turns out it was a nitrite test kit. Thinking back I don't think I've tested or even had a nitrite test kit this century.

[gone fishin]

Nitrite should go to zero while nitrate will be detected.

[EdgeN]

Originally Posted by Timfish

I was at a friends house when they pulled out a test kit I didn't recognize. Turns out it was a nitrite test kit. Thinking back I don't think I've tested or even had a nitrite test kit this century.

I'm seeing more and more posts like this from you for some reason. We get it, you've been in the hobby a long time.

[OldReefGuy]

ammon and nitrite on commercial kits will test zero after "cycle", albeit, they are always present. If you use a proper Lab kit, they will be measurable.....
Without the first two, the third cant exist. I have never tested for ammon nor nitrite. To be honest, I have only ever tested for Nitrate. Keep those in check and all else should be fine

[jake32010]

so i have cycled my tank and everything went down but the nitrites. Do i do a 50% water change or what. i am out of ideas its been 3.5 weeks. HELP

[nereefpat]

Originally Posted by jake32010

so i have cycled my tank and everything went down but the nitrites. Do i do a 50% water change or what. i am out of ideas its been 3.5 weeks. HELP

Testing error?

If nitrites aren't reading zero, then the tank isn't cycled or there is something wrong with the test. No water changes during cycle, unless ammonia gets above 4ppm.

[bnumair]

nitrites are not harmful in marine tank. if ammonia is 0 and staying zero you can add fish if in a tight spot to do so. otherwise do 50% water change and wait it out. bacteria that converts nitrites to nitrates take 2-3 times longer to establish than the ammonia ones.

for whats it worth i have 3 tangs in qt, ammonia went down to 0 but nitrites are 2-4ppm.
it takes 300+ppm to kill half of population of clown fish in a tank.

[A sea K]

Originally Posted by EdgeN

I'm seeing more and more posts like this from you for some reason. We get it, you've been in the hobby a long time.

Wow, this is not helpful nor on topic not to mention not at all called for.

Originally Posted by jake32010

so i have cycled my tank and everything went down but the nitrites. Do i do a 50% water change or what. i am out of ideas its been 3.5 weeks. HELP

3 1/2 weeks and still reading nitrite means your tank is not fully cycled. I get that people are very excited about finally putting livestock in their newly set-up aquarium but this is probably one of the most important times to use patience.

[jake32010]

i added ammonia to test the cycle as was directed by someone and everything went up then went to 0 besides the nitrites. when i stated i added live sand and live rock. i know its not a test equipment fail because i took water from the sea and tested it. it had a different reading. Im thinking about a water change and getting bacteria.

[A sea K]

Originally Posted by jake32010

everything went up then went to 0 besides the nitrites.

You should be testing for ammonia, nitrite, and and nitrate.
If "everything went up" (this would be expected with the exception of nitrate if the cycle is not fully completed) "then went to 0 beside nitrites." as previously stated , your tank has not finished cycling yet. You should be reading -0- for ammonia, -0- for nitrite, and then as an indicator for a completed cycle you should start to register nitrate.
Relax and give the system some time to do what it needs.