nitrites

kimoy · 03-08-2007, 04:28 PM

i set up a small FOWLR tank about 2 weeks ago. readings are to check except for trites which is at 2.0 will this still needs to be down to 0 before i can add the fish? it is being cycled with LR from my reef and some from the LFS and crushed coral(not live). the last set up i have was done with LR and LS and it only took me a week to cycle the tank. so the question still is, is it now safe for the fish to go in the water?

Woodstock · 03-08-2007, 04:55 PM

You must wait until both the ammonia and nitrItes are zero before adding hardy livestock. After they reach zero, perform routine water changes to keep the nitrAtes down to 10 ppm or less

Welcome to Reef Sanctuary!!

kimoy · 03-08-2007, 04:58 PM

i'm not worried about the trate. it's been at 5 since the set up. used water from the old tank too. and ammonia is done cycling. i had it on the second day of set up. it's just this trites thats been up for long.

lcstorc · 03-08-2007, 06:02 PM

Welcome to RS!
The cycle goes from ammonia to nitrite to nitrate to nitrogen gas. When the nitrites go down the nitrates are raised as part of the cycle. The cycle is finished when all 3 are at 0 or nitrates are very low. Then you add your first fish. Add the more passive hardy fish first and build up to larger more agressive fish if you like. If you put the less agressive fish in first they will have a chance to establish their territory before there is competition.

Woodstock · 03-08-2007, 06:13 PM

If your ammonia and nitrItes are zero, you can add livestock

NitrAtes of less than 10ppm are excellent!

My Reef's nitrAtes are around 5-10ppm right now... sorta high since I moved the tank. I'll get them down to 0-5ppm with water changes

Snelly40 · 03-08-2007, 06:18 PM

yes, make sure ammonia and NITRITES are 0,
from reading i believe that nitrites are themost dangerous to the fish

Cougra · 03-08-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snelly40

yes, make sure ammonia and NITRITES are 0,
from reading i believe that nitrites are themost dangerous to the fish

Ammonia is the most dangerous to fish. It is extremely toxic and the higher the pH the more toxic it is.

NitrItes aren't toxic in a saltwater tank since they react with the salt to nutralize them. This is the basic princible for adding a SMALL amount of salt to FRESHWATER tanks when there are nitrite readings becuase it'll greatly reduce the toxic effect. However we wait until they are reduced to 0 on our t anks to ensure that there is sufficient levels of bacteria in the tank to handle the current bioload.

Nitrates aren't toxic in the short term however in the long term they can lead to potential problems, especially if they are constantly high, meaning +50ppm for saltwater tanks and potentially higher for freshwater tanks.

sasquatch · 03-08-2007, 09:26 PM

Kimoy, have you checked with another nitrite test kit? Steve

kimoy · 03-08-2007, 11:39 PM

thanks guys. well the just have to wait and stay at the store till it's ready for its new home.

BigAl07 · 03-09-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougra

Ammonia is the most dangerous to fish. It is extremely toxic and the higher the pH the more toxic it is.

NitrItes aren't toxic in a saltwater tank since they react with the salt to nutralize them. This is the basic princible for adding a SMALL amount of salt to FRESHWATER tanks when there are nitrite readings becuase it'll greatly reduce the toxic effect. However we wait until they are reduced to 0 on our t anks to ensure that there is sufficient levels of bacteria in the tank to handle the current bioload.

Nitrates aren't toxic in the short term however in the long term they can lead to potential problems, especially if they are constantly high, meaning +50ppm for saltwater tanks and potentially higher for freshwater tanks.

Just to add a touch here (background from chem education)...

Nitrites are very harmful to your critters. Even low levels cause them to be able to process less of the available oxygen in the water and prolonged constant exposure can literally cause your fish to suffocate even though the water may be highly oxygenated. Usually the whole cycle will take much more than just a week. You'll see it cycle off and on for several weeks and even see smaller cycles as your thank changes (adding fish, replacing filters etc).

Good luck and when in doubt, wait it out!

Allen

03-08-2007, 04:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
kimoy Sea Pen Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 338 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	nitrites i set up a small FOWLR tank about 2 weeks ago. readings are to check except for trites which is at 2.0 will this still needs to be down to 0 before i can add the fish? it is being cycled with LR from my reef and some from the LFS and crushed coral(not live). the last set up i have was done with LR and LS and it only took me a week to cycle the tank. so the question still is, is it now safe for the fish to go in the water?

03-08-2007, 04:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,643 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: nitrites You must wait until both the ammonia and nitrItes are zero before adding hardy livestock. After they reach zero, perform routine water changes to keep the nitrAtes down to 10 ppm or less Welcome to Reef Sanctuary!! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

03-08-2007, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
kimoy Sea Pen Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 338 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: nitrites i'm not worried about the trate. it's been at 5 since the set up. used water from the old tank too. and ammonia is done cycling. i had it on the second day of set up. it's just this trites thats been up for long.

03-08-2007, 06:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,864 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: nitrites Welcome to RS! The cycle goes from ammonia to nitrite to nitrate to nitrogen gas. When the nitrites go down the nitrates are raised as part of the cycle. The cycle is finished when all 3 are at 0 or nitrates are very low. Then you add your first fish. Add the more passive hardy fish first and build up to larger more agressive fish if you like. If you put the less agressive fish in first they will have a chance to establish their territory before there is competition. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

03-08-2007, 06:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,643 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: nitrites If your ammonia and nitrItes are zero, you can add livestock NitrAtes of less than 10ppm are excellent! My Reef's nitrAtes are around 5-10ppm right now... sorta high since I moved the tank. I'll get them down to 0-5ppm with water changes __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

03-08-2007, 06:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Snelly40 Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,954 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: nitrites yes, make sure ammonia and NITRITES are 0, from reading i believe that nitrites are themost dangerous to the fish __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

03-08-2007, 09:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: nitrites Kimoy, have you checked with another nitrite test kit? Steve __________________ castawayreefers.com Last edited by sasquatch : 03-08-2007 at 09:26 PM. Reason: sp

03-08-2007, 11:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
kimoy Sea Pen Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 338 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: nitrites thanks guys. well the just have to wait and stay at the store till it's ready for its new home.

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