Why is NH3 going up and NO2, NO3 going down in new tank cycle with bottle bac.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So nitrite off the scale is nothing to worry about? (Without livestock)

Depends on the scale, but the only reasons to test (IMO) are:

1. Curiosity
2. Accuracy of nitrate testing and nitrite interference in it

 

[Antaguana]

Thanks @Randy Holmes-Farley. From the reading I have done so far I value your input. Your knowledge is clearly well respected and it is clear you know your stuff.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy reefing.

 

[Antaguana]

I also heard that the bacteria that converts nitrite to nitrate needs phosphate after about 5 days of 5ppm nitrite according to api

My Phosphate is reading 0.09ppm (also on the Hanna master checker, I guess this is where the digital checker comes in handy as the sample looks perfectly clear to me. Either that or the meter is not calibrated, but it should be. I have some flourish phosphorus so I can make up a test sample if we think it might be a misreading.).
More than I expected as none has been added. I assume it was either on the rock or in the seed bottle?

Anyway, Phosphate at 0.09ppm is, I believe, towards the top end of what is generally considered "acceptable" for a reef tank. So I guess that's one less issue to be concerned with.

I went to the LFS store today to sort out a quarantine setup (which I'm sure will make some take a sigh of relief). Looking through my comments and replies from Seachem support, they said felt my scape was very much on the light side and recommended I should have more rock in the tank to provide more area for the bacteria colony. So I have a bunch more (extra ~20 kg) of rock and another litre of Matrix to add to the sump.

Matrix is in now, rock will go in over the next few days (once I am happy with the scaping).