NitrtrIte Question

[marinemarty]

Hi All, My nitrites have begun to rise and my test kit says is about .5 ppm (ALert). I also have removed all my filter media from my fluval 403 and an eheim pro. My 55 gal.tank has been up and running for over 3 months. the tanks has a 4"-6" DSB and approximately 90 lbs of LR. should i put my filter media back? Also i stirred up some of my DSB during a water change could this have raised my nitrites? my ph is 8.2, ammo. 0, nitrite .5, nitrates 30 ppm. Please help.
Martin

 

[sal t. nutz]

I am fairly new to this, and I don't even ahve a DSB, but, I would not think that 3 months is enough time for you DSB and LR to take over natural filtration. Also, from what I understand, you should remove the media from your canisters a little at a time, like 1 basket a month. Your DSB and LR have to adjust to the increases in Ammonia and Nitrites, so that it can take over the filtration. Just my opinion, and maybe some more experienced hobbiests can chime in and correct me.