Nitrite Levels

[jhenson]

I'm 2.5 weeks in with an 11 gal Nano Tank so I know that most of this is the tank just establishing itself. Over the past 5 days my Ammonia has gone up slightly but nothing toxic. My main concern is Nitrite which is now setting just below .2ppm, already toxic. So far everything in the tank doesn't seem to have been effected as they are all still eating well and retaining their color BUT outside of daily water changes is there anything else that I should be doing? An additives that can help with reducing nitrite's quicker?

 

[beth]

Hello, and welcome to Saltwaterfish.com. Are you saying that you have living creatures in a new tank that is in the process of cycling? Cycling a tank with marine animals in it really is not a very good choice, especially when there is viable alternatives, such as using a few pieces of live rock, that can do this much better.
Also, any level of ammonia or nitrite can be toxic, even deadly to marine animals. Are you using fish to try and cycle a tank?

 

[jhenson]

Fair question. This was my first nano tank. The store I bought it from actually told me that by using the live sand and it being such a small tank it would not need to cycle as my 90 gal tank did. Long story short I now feel duped BUT your response didn't offer any help concerning my current Nitrite levels. I have read about some additives but don't know what they are OR if they are compatable with a reef tank. Unfortunately I can't put any of my corals in my larger tank as it is a fish only tank - the triggers / puffers would tear them up.