nitrite question

[duffer55]

ok, my nitrites spiked 17 days ago, and they are still off the charts. whats wrong?

[slingham64]

ok, my nitrites spiked 17 days ago, and they are still off the charts. whats wrong?

I feel your pain. 2 weeks ago I was in your same position, I went to my LFS an told them the situation. They gave me this bottle of stuff and told me to put it in my tank and it would eliminate the Nitrites. I went home, put it in, the next day my nitrites were reading 0 and then the next they were right where they needed to be. It's been 2 weeks now and my nitrites, amonia, and nitrate readings are all perfect. As soon as I get home I'll write down the exact name of what they gave me and hopefully you can track some down yourself.

It's frustrating I know, but it'll get better. I was ready to just be done with my tank after I couldn't get them to go down. So I'll get that info for you and hopefully alleviate your problem!

[Sasquatch]

ok, my nitrites spiked 17 days ago, and they are still off the charts. whats wrong?

They spiked at what level and what do you have in the tank?

Have you done anything to disturb the tank? Water changes, gravel cleanings, meds to treat fish etc... will all slow down the cycling process. Also, the bacteria that converte NO2 to NO3 are sometimes really slow.

[duffer55]

i haven`t added anything, i`am doing a fishless cycle

[slingham64]

Ok this is what I was given at my LFS and what worked wonders for my tank, but I'm sure that it is a case by case sort of thing. But it's worth a shot.

Brand: Seachem
Prime Freshwater & Saltwater

It is in a small white bottle with a red sticker. It says it removes Chlorine, Chloramine and Amonia, and detoxifies Nitrite & Nitrate. The sales lady said it's safe to use once, so I did that. 2 weeks later I've had nothing but success with my tank. She said that they've had success and failure with it, but after waiting weeks for my Nitrites, I gave it a shot an it worked. Hope that helps you out!

[cabrego]

I am very suprised to hear that prime removed your nitrites. As the label stats, it is suppose to detoxify it but not necessarily remove it. Essentially, I understand prime adds binders into the system rending toxic ammonia and nitrate non toxic for only 48 hours.

I have also read that standard tests will be inaccurate during thkis 48 hr period.

[Emmastaff]

I am in the same situation as you. I actually posted below about an inaccurate nitrate test. I went and purchased another one, and my nitrites were .50 ! Hubby went to the LFS and has come back with Prime also. He talked to a sales lady and also brought in a water sample. I'll let you know how it works. I am upset, because I used Bio Spira to cycle my tank, 9 days ago. It did not work as planned.

[cocoa_pleco]

this thread is from march last year.......

[cabrego]

this thread is from march last year.......


Is there an expiration date on threads?