im cofused nitrates or nitrites

[1628mna]

i just read an article saying to watch your nitrate levels but i always thought it was your nitrite levels. can someone please clear this up for me? and if its not the one what does the other have to dp with salt water, just a little info. on both would clear my mind up!!!!!!



thanx in advane
mike

 

[JUNI0R]

Ideally you wouldn't have either in your tank. But I live with low levels of nitrate.
Here is a good article on nitrite:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php
And a good article on nitrate:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

As mentioned in the article above, nitrite is not worth measuring in reef systems. It is not toxic and is almost never elevated.