Uggggg...nitrites...please help

dottiekh

dottiekh

Member
I have a 125 gal fo tank. I have been involved with saltwater fish for approx. 9 years, off and on. This tank sat dormant for one year. On Jan. 1 of this year, I set it back up. After two weeks, I did add several fish and clean up crew. Right now I have one dogfaced puffer, one clown, two damsels, one niger trigger, one v-tailed grouper, one bass and one naso tang. They all seem to be doing really well.
I tested my water the other day, and my nitrites are through the roof. I have done 20% water changes for the last four days, and I'm not seeing any significant improvements. I am using tap water (i know, i know, i know). My next stop is the store I purchased fish from to get some of thier water. Could this be the crux of my problem?
About one and a half weeks ago, I did develop the brown algea, but I know that's normal. All my other levels are as they should be. When I set back up, I got a new filter (Cascade, for 200 gal. tanks). I am using a skimmer also. I'm scared to death I'm going to wake up and find my fish dead if I don't fix this soon. Any suggestions? I feel like this is my first tank...I guess I've just forgotten everhthing.
 
juddster

juddster

Member
How long did you let it cycle before adding fish? it sounds like not too long. I think you are going to lose em as you cycle.
 
birdy

birdy

Active Member
I want to clarify, are you talking about nitrites or nitrates.
Go ahead and give us exact levels for
Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, pH, alk.
 
dottiekh

dottiekh

Member
OK, I just tested my water so you would have up to date numbers. I did forget to mention that when I had the tank up and running, I did add some stuff (can not remember name) that you kept in the fridge, and when added to your water, it was supposed to add the bacteria needed. In theory, eliminating the spike, or atleast lessening it.
I am using the red sea mini lab test kits:
alk - normal
ph - 7.8
nitrate - 10
phosphate - 1.0
nitrite - .5
I appreciate all your help.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Need to know the Ammonia level. Nitrite is harmless, it just shows that your bacteria population is low. If there's Ammonia you need to do a water change to lower it.
 
dottiekh

dottiekh

Member
Ok. Ammonia is the one test that I do not have, but I will get it first thing tomorrow. All of this can get really confusing. I thought that you had to be concerned about nitrite poisoning. I will say that all of my fish are very active and they eat like there's no tomorrow. I don't have any listless fish or any loss of vibrance in color. I have done four 20% water changes, so maybe this has helped with any potential ammonia problem? I really do feel like a big goof when dealing with this stuff....there's so much you need to know. Just a side note.....I love this website. All of you that come on and guide us make a huge difference. Thank you.
 
murph

murph

Active Member
use google. Test kit faq. For some simple to the point info on tests and and readings.
Unfortunately you have forgotten the most important one for a tank just a few weeks old. Ammonia.
My guess is you are using some type of water conditioner to make your tap water safe for the water changes. If this is the case it has probably also functioned to detoxifie the almost certain ammonia build up and has saved the lives of the fish in the tank.
If I am on target with my guesses here I suggest you remove any carbon filtration and dose the whole tank this evening just as you are dosing your change water.
Good luck. Most tanks cycle to the point of bringing down ammonia levels by about the 17th day so you may just eek by here.
 
watertight

watertight

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
Need to know the Ammonia level. Nitrite is harmless, it just shows that your bacteria population is low. If there's Ammonia you need to do a water change to lower it.
Nitrite is harmless???? I thought it was just as toxic as ammonia???
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by watertight
Nitrite is harmless???? I thought it was just as toxic as ammonia???
It's about as toxic as Nitrate but it's nearly impossible to get levels high enough to be toxic.
 
A

amphibious

Guest
Need to know the Ammonia level. Nitrite is harmless, it just shows that your bacteria population is low. If there's Ammonia you need to do a water change to lower it.
Bang Guy
Sorry, but YOU need to do more home work on the nitrogen cycle before you post this kind of bad advice!!! Nothing could be farther from the truth.
dottiekh
Stop! Slow down! The only thing that happens quickly in a marine aquarium is DISASTER!
You reported the following tank parameters.
alk - normal
ph - 7.8
nitrate - 10
phosphate - 1.0
nitrite - .5
Terminology can get confusing to beginners. First, your NITRITES are not "Through the roof" as you stated. While any Nitrite is too much, .5 is not through the roof. NITRATES of 10 ppm is not through the roof either BUT, are on the rise and WILL become a problem soon.
You set the tank up Jan 1st and this is Jan 30th. There are few ways to get your tank to cycle in that short of time. I have done it but, I've been in this hobby since 1946 and in the saltwater end of it since 1966. My point is only to let you know I'm not a beginner.
You will need to answer some ???s for us to evaluate the situation. Tell us about the filtration you are using. Are you using a protien skimmer? How much tank substrate are you using and what kind? Have you put any LR in the tank?
Get the Ammonia test kit ASAP. Let us know the level of Ammonia.
Being in and out of the marine hobby for the last nine years indicates you are a beginner because the hobby is constantly evolving and improvements are being discovered in almost every aspects of the hobby. There's no way you could keep up with those changes.
Hope this helps. Let us know the answers to the above questions. Maybe we can help some more.
Rich
 
dottiekh

dottiekh

Member
Wow. Ok. Let me try and answer your questions. I will get the ammonia test first thing in the am, and post it as soon as I get home with it. I am using a protein skimmer. I am using a cascade filter for a tank up to 200 gal. It is a cansiter filter, I have like five "sponges" in it, some rubber things and some charcoal. Does that answer that enough? If not, if you could ask me a specific question, I'll go look at it and see if I can be more specific. I am using cc, about 2 inches. Although, after reading some of the other threads, I'm wondering if cc was the best choice. Is it too late? Can I put sand on top of that? I do not have any lr in the tank. I've never dealt with live rock, but if it will help my tank and my fish, and I am more than willing to learn.
I will post the ammonia results first thing. I appreciate your help. Rich, I have no doubt your are anything but a beginner. You definitely sound like you know what you are doing, and I appreciate your helping me now.
Dottie
 
rcmcg

rcmcg

Member
dottie
We are having the same problems...I used an instant liquid cycler as well. The first week with fish was fine then ammonia levels began to rise. As they went down nitrates began to rise, they went to 10 and are now back down to 5, but the nitrites are on the rise. (Sounds like another cycle to me) I did a 15% water change last week, and over the weekend began adding a product called prime to my tank to "neutralize" the ammonia, nitrates and nitrites. It has helped. I am no expert and I have been told on this site that there are no instant cures. I believe them, but I am willing to try whatever is available to keep my fish alive. I think I am about a week ahead of you.
Good Luck! I hope both of us can keep our fish alive!!
 
oceanists

oceanists

Active Member

Originally Posted by Amphibious
Bang Guy
Sorry, but YOU need to do more home work on the nitrogen cycle before you post this kind of bad advice!!! Nothing could be farther from the truth.
dude you just told that to one of the most knowledgable people on this site and a MOD at that I see you only have 3 posts , my advice to you would to be slow you roll , before you get banned
 
dottiekh

dottiekh

Member
Ok. While I am at the store tomorrow getting the ammonia test, I will also get some prime. I am determined to get my fish through this. I have a dogfaced puffer that I LOVE. I hand feed him, and I swear he looks for me. I am open to any and all suggestions. I appreciate everyone's feedback, maybe I'll get through this...
Dottie
 
A

amphibious

Guest
dude you just told that to one of the most knowledgable people on this site and a MOD at that I see you only have 3 posts , my advice to you would to be slow you roll , before you get banned
Well, Oceanists, if I get BANNED for telling the truth, so be it!
The truth is that Nitrite is very toxic to marine organisms as is Ammonia and Nitrate. In a healthy marine aquarium, that has cycled, the Ammonia and Nitrite readings will be 0 and therefore not a problem. Nitrate will build up and can become a problem if not removed by some means, ie, water changes, DSB, etc. Reading any discription of the Nitrogen cycle will clarify and support this.
Bang Guy may be the most knowledgable guy on this forum and a MOD but, that doesn't make the statement I originally quoted correct!
As for the number of my posts, that has no reflection on my expertise. I've been in this hobby since 1946 and exclusively saltwater since 1966. That's before most of you were born. I've been in the marine business since 1975 as a wholesaler, retailer, installation and maintenance and, now retired, I'm setting up a coral growing facility in FL and I have an on-line biz for selling that coral . I don't claim to know it all but, clear thinking people will realize I'm not lacking in knowledge when it comes to saltwater aquariums.
So, I stand by my advice to dottiekh.
Rich
 
A

amphibious

Guest
dottiekh
Sorry for the diversion above. Getting back to your problem. You said in your first post, "I guess I've just forgotten everhthing."
You probably did forget somethings but, things have changed, too. The technology and understanding of the inner workings of a marine tank is changing constantly. Nine years ago few people were successfully growing coral. Today thousands of "reef keepers" are growing coral and selling it, too.
Getting to your tank. Several things bother me about your set-up. A fish only tank is going to generate a lot of Nitrogen compounds in the form of Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate due to the amount and kinds of food fed to the fish and the amount of waste generated buy their motabolism.
When filtered with a canister filter and a bed of crushed coral there is no way for the Nitrate generated to be converted to Nitrogen gas and therefore builds up to toxic levels. Water changes is one way to combat the problem but, is prohibitively expensive as it is an on going thing.
I have to leave for a bit, sorry. Will continue tomorrow.
Rich
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally Posted by Amphibious
Well, Oceanists, if I get BANNED for telling the truth, so be it!
The truth is that Nitrite is very toxic to marine organisms as is Ammonia and Nitrate.
Hi Rich, Welcome to the board! Nobody has ever been banned here for trying to help. I sure hope that never happens.
I have never experienced Nitrite toxicity in fish nor have I ever seen a scientific paper indicating that it is the least bit harmful to even the most delicate fish until you get into the 50+ppm level. This level is nearly impossible to attain in an aquarium without adding Nitrite compounds directly to the water. I have read about Nitrite toxicity in non-scientific publications like hobbiest books but they never reference a scientific source, simply another hobbiest publication. I certainly agree that at normal reef PH and salinity Ammonia is a deadly toxin even at low levels.
 
birdy

birdy

Active Member
I certainly have ancedotal evidence that supports Guy's statements, I maintain saltwater aquariums as a side business and I have had at least two tanks with nitrite levels fairly high with no ill effects to the fish in the tank. I think nitrite levels indicate a disturbance in the biological filtration but do not mean death as a lot of people assume.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top