[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Hey folks,

I have setup a 55 gallon system that I plan on going towards a reef system. I put the system together end of february. I have placed at this point 35lbs of atlantic LR I am using as the base rock. I have 3" of crush coral as my substrate. Protien skimmer w/UV Wet Dry trickle filter and have purchased a Mako 5 stage RO/DI system for my water source. After 3 weeks of curing the LR I placed 2 damsels in as my starter fish. I do water changes weekly (15 gallons)

Up until 2 weeks ago my tests looked very good. Tank cycled (or I thought) my nitrites have gone up to 10.0ppm. My NH3 is 0 - NO3 is 0.

SG is 1.021
temp ranges from 78 at night - 80 during the day.

Does anyone have a suggestions as too what is keeping it up? Until i get it down I can't go any further with it. Damsels look fine relaxed not gasping for breath. I do have 1 banded coral shrimp and several Turbo Grazers in the system.

[Ninong]

Something is wrong with your test kit(s). You couldn't possibly have 10.0 ppm nitrites with zero ammonia and zero nitrates.

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Originally Posted by Ninong

Something is wrong with your test kit(s). You couldn't possibly have 10.0 ppm nitrites with zero ammonia and zero nitrates.

Thanks for responding, I agree I have been using Sea Test general test kit as well as their reef test kit.

I'll be making a run to my fish supplier and have him test my water to double check the results.

Question does Nitrite Posioning effect only fish or can it effect filter feeders as well?

[Reefland]

Increased levels of Nitrites will have an effect on all life within the system; with nitrifying bacteria being the exception.

Scott Z.