high nitrite

thefner · 05-27-2006, 12:38 AM

Hi, I set up a 55gal salt tank about two months ago and cannot get the nitrite to come down. I have a clown,striped damsel,yellow tail damsel and a blue damsel.Two anemones,a star fish,feather duster and a shrimp.I have live sand and live rock. Any ideas on what I can do?

Thanks

BubbaWPB · 05-27-2006, 12:45 AM

Sorry to answer your questions with questions, but more info will help advise you.

How much live rock do you have in your tank?
What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels? Have you had them double checked (by taking them in to the LFS or using another brand of test kit)?
Do you have a protein skimmer on the tank?
How long have you had which critters in the tank?
What is your pH? Temperature range?
How often and how much do you do water changes?

smidoid · 05-27-2006, 09:33 AM

Something else - how large are these fish? Seems a lot in an 8-week tank. Did you let the tank cycle properly before you added the stock?

**charlie** · 05-27-2006, 11:07 AM

I would start doing water changes at least 2 times a week, at least 10-15 gallons at a time, and continue to do so until that level comes down. Your tank is still in the cycling stage from the sounds of it, and shouldn't have all that livestock in it. Water changes are the best method I know of for this, short of taking all the livestock out and starting over again.
I have one question tho, on who's advice did you add all the livestock? Not to be to critical here, but that never should have happened!!!!!
We'll be here to help, so keep us informed, OK.!!

**Ninong** · 05-27-2006, 11:45 AM

Hi thefner,

Are you sure you mean nitrite and not nitrate? If your nitrite numbers were high, you wouldn't have anything alive in your tank.

What are your nitrate readings?

BubbaWPB · 05-27-2006, 12:19 PM

I was thinking the same thing, Ninong... high nitrites and (living) livestock don't make a lot of sense.

Water changes won't hurt, but I'd verify the readings first. Are the readings correct? And,what are the readings? If it's nitrAte and the level is 5, things would begin to make sense and there would be no need to panic.

Also, if the amount of live rock is inadequate, changing water is only a temporary solution - the problem will return.

smidoid · 05-27-2006, 06:46 PM

I assumed Nitrate when I read Nitrite.

"You boy! Pay attention in class!"

Spotted!

05-27-2006, 12:38 AM	#1
thefner New in Town Join Date: May 2006 Location: rochester,ny Posts: 1	high nitrite Hi, I set up a 55gal salt tank about two months ago and cannot get the nitrite to come down. I have a clown,striped damsel,yellow tail damsel and a blue damsel.Two anemones,a star fish,feather duster and a shrimp.I have live sand and live rock. Any ideas on what I can do? Thanks

05-27-2006, 12:45 AM	#2
BubbaWPB Governor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,234	Sorry to answer your questions with questions, but more info will help advise you. How much live rock do you have in your tank? What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels? Have you had them double checked (by taking them in to the LFS or using another brand of test kit)? Do you have a protein skimmer on the tank? How long have you had which critters in the tank? What is your pH? Temperature range? How often and how much do you do water changes? __________________ Bubba Hmmm... now that the tank is full, I could convert the pool to saltwater... Bubba's Aquarium Log

05-27-2006, 09:33 AM	#3
smidoid Alas, poor Nemo... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "Smoggy", England, UK Posts: 665	Something else - how large are these fish? Seems a lot in an 8-week tank. Did you let the tank cycle properly before you added the stock? __________________ Marc "Mom! Dad's got that stinking rock in the bathtub. Again!" [Science is under attack in our schools. Act now! www.marcdraco.co.uk ]

05-27-2006, 11:07 AM	#4
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 6,334	I would start doing water changes at least 2 times a week, at least 10-15 gallons at a time, and continue to do so until that level comes down. Your tank is still in the cycling stage from the sounds of it, and shouldn't have all that livestock in it. Water changes are the best method I know of for this, short of taking all the livestock out and starting over again. I have one question tho, on who's advice did you add all the livestock? Not to be to critical here, but that never should have happened!!!!! We'll be here to help, so keep us informed, OK.!! __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

05-27-2006, 11:45 AM	#5
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20,939	Hi thefner, Are you sure you mean nitrite and not nitrate? If your nitrite numbers were high, you wouldn't have anything alive in your tank. What are your nitrate readings? __________________ Ninong

05-27-2006, 12:19 PM	#6
BubbaWPB Governor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,234	I was thinking the same thing, Ninong... high nitrites and (living) livestock don't make a lot of sense. Water changes won't hurt, but I'd verify the readings first. Are the readings correct? And,what are the readings? If it's nitrAte and the level is 5, things would begin to make sense and there would be no need to panic. Also, if the amount of live rock is inadequate, changing water is only a temporary solution - the problem will return. __________________ Bubba Hmmm... now that the tank is full, I could convert the pool to saltwater... Bubba's Aquarium Log

05-27-2006, 06:46 PM	#7
smidoid Alas, poor Nemo... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "Smoggy", England, UK Posts: 665	I assumed Nitrate when I read Nitrite. "You boy! Pay attention in class!" Spotted! __________________ Marc "Mom! Dad's got that stinking rock in the bathtub. Again!" [Science is under attack in our schools. Act now! www.marcdraco.co.uk ]

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