High nitrite

[zak1008]

Hi I set up a new tank a month ago using caribsea live sand and Caribsea life rock I also moved a piece of my live rock from my other tank and my ceramic balls I used fluval cycle biological enhancer my nitrite and ammonia was both at 0 at nitrate was at 5 after 2 weeks so I added my 2 clowfish as I assumed my cycle had finished I then added my gramma a week later now my nitrites are reading between 1-2 ppm on api test strips my ammonia is still at 0 on my seachem test disc and my nitrate is at 16 ppm on Hanna checker I have read that nitrite does not really matter in saltwater is this true and shall I just wait this out and everything should be ok?

Thanks Zak.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Nitrite isn’t a concern

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Agree. I'd stop measuring nitrite and move on.

Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[stE26wy14]

what about high nitrate levels? is that bad?

 

[Cell]

Nitrate levels will be elevated in the presence of nitrite given how our hobby test kits work. 16ppm nitrate is ok but it's probably lower than that

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you really have 1 ppm nitrite, nitrate testing will be inaccurate and typically read far too high.

 

[stE26wy14]

Nitrate levels will be elevated in the presence of nitrite given how our hobby test kits work. 16ppm nitrate is ok but it's probably lower than that

ok, but is it fine if the nitrate gets high?(just askinggg)

 

[Cell]

16ppm is not alarmingly high nitrate. But again, it's probably not really that high if you have measurable nitrite

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

ok, but is it fine if the nitrate gets high?(just askinggg)

Some great tanks have nitrate of 100 ppm. Richard Ross/Thales is an example.

nevertheless, i recommend 2-10 ppm as the best range, but others may have different preferred ranges.

 

[Uncle99]

Zack, all looks pretty normal to me.
API tests are at best, ballpark.
Cant say I ever measured nitrite or ammonia.

Now 5-10-15ppm nitrate, who knows actual numbers I run 20-25ppm if I believe the test kit.

Seek stability in numbers rather than precision.
This will unlock your systems potential.

 

[zak1008]

Thankyou all very much for your reply’s