nitrate & nitrite ?

[mouse03245]

ok,here goes.last sunday we switched fro cc to live sand.did testing the next morning and everything looked real good.last night i did testing again and this is what i got ammon.0 ph 8.2 alk normal nitrate (not sure how to read) it says low range 10 and high range 50. nitrite 0.5. its red sea but all brand new tests. will adding live sand put nitrate and nitrite up? salinity aliitle low 1.23. its fo tank. any help would be appreciated. Im worried about my little friends!:nervous: thanx alot

 

[karajay]

I would start with a water change (like about 25%)
With regards to reading your test, the presence of nitrite can falsify the amount of nitrate detectable.
For future reference, you read the low side of your nitrate card. You would only need to use the high range side if it read higher than 50 on the low range side.

 

[mouse03245]

thanx karajay.I will do water change this am.do you know anything about plants? i've been reading about how some plants lower nitrate. we just dont know which to buy. we only have a naso,coral beauty and a cc starfish. thanx again

 

[karajay]

Here's all I know about plants.
Yes, they will help reduce your nitrates. You do not want them in your display, most have them in a refugium.
Do you have a sump? fuge?

 

[dreeves]

Changing from CC to sand will generally cause a cycle...the degree of the cycle is dependent upon how much everything in the entire system was disturbed...most however, are very slight, which sounds like waht you have...
I wouldn't do a water change, and let it sit for a couple of days...let things stablize back out, then due a water change.

 

[mouse03245]

thanx alot for the info.someone else told me to wait a few too.so i guess it wont hurt to wait a couple days. then if no better i will do the water change.again thanx to both of you.