View Full Version : Nitrite
kattsue
02/23/2008, 06:44 AM
I"ve had my tank set up for 3 weeks now with live rock, sand, some snails and hermit crabs. One blenny that came with TBS package. My ammonia has been 0 for about a week, but nitrites still reading 0.2. How long does it take for nitrites to go to 0. Should I change water or just let alone until they drop?
Fish_wiz2
02/23/2008, 06:53 AM
If you have nitrites that's means you didn't completely cycle and your water is toxic. Do major water changes and quarantine the fish and inverts fast water with ammonia and nitrite is toxic.
kattsue
02/23/2008, 07:26 AM
Ammonia is 0. I thought nitrites went up then drop to 0 as part of nitrogen cycle.
stingythingy45
02/23/2008, 07:37 AM
Nitrite is not at all toxic to marine fish.
It's probably going to take another week for that to zero.
If you want to do a water change to see if that drops it go ahead.
kattsue
02/23/2008, 07:39 AM
Thanks.
stingythingy45
02/23/2008, 07:43 AM
Just remember,that because you do have nitrite that there's a possibility that ammonia could sneak back in.But I think a nice 10% water change should clear things up.
Randy Holmes-Farley
02/23/2008, 07:51 AM
I wouldn't even bother to measure nitrite since it is not toxic in marine systems. it is only ammonia that is a concern, although waiting longer before adding things is often a fine idea.
Here's more on nitrite:
Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm
kattsue
02/26/2008, 05:43 AM
Which is it? Nitrite is toxic or not toxic. Seems like everyone has a different opinion. Don't know which way to go. Change some water or don't change some water? Will this make nitrites come down or just nitrates? Help!!
cubsfan79
02/26/2008, 07:44 AM
nitrite is very toxic nitrate can be tolerated to some level
cubsfan79
02/26/2008, 07:46 AM
most likely means the cycle has not completed
IslandCrow
02/26/2008, 07:49 AM
Randy is our resident chemistry expert (and Reef Chemistry moderator), so what you hear from him is going to be something well researched (whether by himself or someone else), and if it's just his opinion, he's very good about saying so. Of course, I'll usually take his opinion over many people's "facts".
cubsfan79
02/26/2008, 07:56 AM
thanks randy i did not know that now i do
Randy Holmes-Farley
02/26/2008, 08:09 AM
Which is it? Nitrite is toxic or not toxic.
Check the article I posted. Nitrite is not toxic at the levels ever attained in reef aquaria. It takes hundreds to thousands of ppm nitrite to kill fish (Table 2 in the article).
It is very toxic in fresh water systems (Table 1 in the article), and many people incorrectly carry that concern over from previous hobby experiences.
In marine systems, chloride effectively competes for binding sites that nitrite might get into, effectively making it nontoxic. :)
thanks randy i did not know that now i do
No problem. That's why were here. :)
cayars
02/26/2008, 08:18 AM
As far as FISH go, Nitrite are much, much more toxic in FW then in SW. In SW it doesn't really matter much.
However, Nitrite and Nitrates are a decent indicator of overall tank progression and how well the biological filtration is working.
With some inverts measurable levels can interfere with calcification but that's another story.
It's best to "aim" for ZERO trites and < 5 ppm trates for an overall good reef tank. You'll know the tank is in check and has an established biological system in place and by checking them on occasion (really only trates) you can "gauge" the overall health of the biological system and your input of food etc...
Carlo
Randy Holmes-Farley
02/26/2008, 11:16 AM
With some inverts measurable levels can interfere with calcification but that's another story.
What is the evidence for that?
kattsue
02/26/2008, 11:50 AM
Thanks again.
Randy Holmes-Farley
02/26/2008, 11:56 AM
:thumbsup:
Happy reefing. :)
kattsue
02/26/2008, 12:27 PM
When do I start doing water changes, how much and how often?
Randy Holmes-Farley
02/26/2008, 12:58 PM
The primary reason that many folks (not all) do a water change after cycling is to dump the elevated nitrate and phosphate that may be in the water.
Have you measured those?
kattsue
02/26/2008, 04:15 PM
Phosphate .5 and nitrate 20.
Secondchance
02/26/2008, 06:54 PM
I am glad I found this thread, and the responses. About a half hour after I fed my fish, I tested with the following results:
pH-8.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitrate - 10 (they are always this)
Nitrite - .1 (usually always 0)
I assume its because I had just fed the fish. I had already done a water change on Sunday. I also added a clown on Sunday too.
kau_cinta_ku
02/26/2008, 08:14 PM
you phospahes are way to high for a reef tank. you need to lower those by using rodi water, less feeding, growing macro alage and running a phosphae remover. any one of those will help. nitrates can be lowered with water changes (rodi water) growing macro alage, and less feeding.
sly fox
02/26/2008, 08:22 PM
out of interest at what point to nitrates become toxic for fish?
Randy Holmes-Farley
02/27/2008, 05:59 AM
out of interest at what point to nitrates become toxic for fish?
Nitrate has to be pretty high (> 50 ppm) before being an apparent problem. This article has more:
Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm
Phosphate .5 and nitrate 20.
Has the nitrate been rising? If it is still rising reasonably fast, I'd wait a bit, but as mentioned above, that phosphate level is very high and a complete water change followed by more export methods may be a good idea.
kattsue
02/27/2008, 06:48 AM
Do I need a phosphate reactor, if so, what kind and how would I hook it up on a 30 gallon tank with no sump? Do they hang from the back? Complete water change - how much? Been using RO water from a machine at grocery store. TDS 12. Should I go ahead and get my own unit? So many questions!! Growing macro algae where? Only checked them once so will have to measure when I get home from work.
sly fox
02/27/2008, 06:55 AM
thanks randy, v. interesting
Randy Holmes-Farley
02/27/2008, 07:46 AM
thanks randy, v. interesting
You're welcome.
Happy Reefing. :)
cayars
02/27/2008, 06:07 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11946619#post11946619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
With some inverts measurable levels can interfere with calcification but that's another story.
What is the evidence for that?
Atkinson & Wilkinson
BTW, this doesn't imply that nitrates specifically are the cause but set off a chain reactor of factors that influence the calcification rate. Also worth noting we're talking elevated levels and not 5-10 ppm levels like we would strive for in our tanks.
Small amounts of nitrogen can stimulate coral growth. Complex subject to say the least.
Carlo
Randy Holmes-Farley
02/28/2008, 07:23 AM
Are you talking about nitrite or nitrate?
cayars
03/02/2008, 08:33 AM
Oops, sorry about that. My bad!
nitrAte, should really have looked at the title line better!
Carlo
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