siskiou Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 I just checked the water in my QT tank, and it all of a sudden shows Nitrite! I've already done a pretty substantial water change and added some Amquel. What else can I do? How much water is safe to be changed out (I've done about 40% so far)? The OT has been going for 12 days, and is running a filter which has been on my main tank to be populated with bacteria before I set it up. Parameters have been fine, apart from about 20ppm of Nitrate up to this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Simplify and WC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted July 24, 2007 Author Share Posted July 24, 2007 Simplify...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Simplify the system, remove any culprits, sponge filters, any type of mechanical filters other than your skimmer, don't run anymore chemical cleaners and possibly run some carbon for a few hours. Simplify and water change, its usually a simple thing your forgot you changed that causes the problem, I know you where experimenting with some type of filter system some time ago, not sure what it was, but simplify and troubleshoot from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 also verify that the readings are accurate by using someone else's test kit if your in doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted July 24, 2007 Author Share Posted July 24, 2007 Sorry, but this is a quarantine tank, not my main tank. That one is fine. It's as simple as it gets, with a heater, power head, HOB filter with media that has been run on the main tank and some pvc pipe pieces for hiding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkto Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 It may simply be die off from the filter itself... If the bio-load on the filter drops when you move it from your main tank to the QT the bacteria level will adjust to the new level of 'food' it has. Keep in mind that the tank is always cycling to some extent... bacterial levels are always rising and falling (dying off) and that may have caused a small spike... ? Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mbeef61 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 i agree with inkto...i think this may sometimes be the culprit itself...otherwise if its a small amount i think you should be fine and it should cycle out...nitrite isnt nearly as toxic as ammonia in high ph saltwater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 sounds right, I thought this was the main tank. I would still do a WC to reduce the nitrite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 I did another water change today and have plenty more water ready to go. I'll keep a close eye on things and keep doing a 20% wc every day. The fish is doing fine and shows no signs of distress so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 no corals? If not I wouldn't worry, fish are tough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 No corals, just one fish in quarantine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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