Nitrites vs Nitrates

[thelawnwrangler]

API Test has me a .25 for Nitrites and Red Sea has me at 0

I saw posted here that the nitrogen cycle is a wee bit more complicated then Ammonia- bacteria- Nitrite- bacteria-Nitrate-bacteria/GFO/water change- Nitrogen- Good Water

I am guessing API being a simpler test may not differentiate between Nitrite and Nitrate quite as well. Not guessing with Nemo's life; more un-academic musing. Would be curious if you science folks agree.

 

[seamonster124]

API might be low end but I doubt it confuses nitrites and nitrates.

How long has your tank been wet?
Nitrites must be zero at cycle complete, then your nitrites will be pretty high.
API may also give you false nitrate reading if nitrite is not zero.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

API might be low end but I doubt it confuses nitrites and nitrates.

How long has your tank been wet?
Nitrites must be zero at cycle complete, then your nitrites will be pretty high.
API may also give you false nitrite reading if nitrite is not zero.

Today is 2 weeks (I know patience) I have been 0 on ammonia for a week or more. I started a 36 gallon with 38 pounds of cured live rock from LFS. It was not wet for 2 hours max. Then it was in house temperature water for 24-48 hours (lets assume 65ish degrees). I test ammonia the first time 3 days after putting it in. I was .5 ammonia. That cleared in 4-5 days.

So should I worry about my red sea test kit? Test seems pretty clearly 0 on nitrites with Red Sea. With API it is clear my RO water is definitely more the look of 0, and my Tank water is not there.

I wanted to avoid ghost feeding, because ideologically I don't like it.

 

[gone fishin]

One kit tests zero and the other 0.25 I would consider them with in the margin of error for the kits. It is not like we are set up with lab grade kits and titration equipment.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

One kit tests zero and the other 0.25 I would consider them with in the margin of error for the kits. It is not like we are set up with lab grade kits and titration equipment.

I am being a little neurotic? lol

you aren't suppose to see this thread. I feel urge to buy algae brush now.

 

[gone fishin]

:lol: Looking the other way now

 

[thelawnwrangler]

lol ummm you are getting .25 nitrites? Can I get an algae brush....err no a bottle of that Nite Out II- I am sure that will add the once strain of bacteria not covered by the millions on the 38 lbs of live rock I bought.

Cycle is locked up now

 

[gone fishin]

:lolspin:

 

[ZeeSparrow]

you aren't suppose to see this thread. I feel urge to buy algae brush now.

You can't hide from Tony. He is ever watchful.

 

[gone fishin]

:lolspin: Maybe paint your new algae brush maroon and glue a fin on it, just tossin ideas out there.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

:lolspin: Maybe paint your new algae brush maroon and glue a fin on it, just tossin ideas out there.

Lighting or gold flake stripes lol?


Maybe standard to start lol

 

[gone fishin]

I bet some fool on ebay would buy it if you called it a designer brush clown, very rare.

 

[disc1]

API might be low end but I doubt it confuses nitrites and nitrates.

Nitrate kits are fooled by nitrite. Any brand of nitrate kit will read a small amount of nitrite as a much larger amount of nitrate. But nitrite kits will not read nitrate as nitrite.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

To hell with it moved rocks made a sand storm lol


Turkey baster blasted sand of live rocks

 

[thelawnwrangler]

Snails and crabs acclimating

 

[gone fishin]

Kind of rushing aren't you.
























Congrats :beer:

 

[thelawnwrangler]

Lol the kid at the fish store green lighted

I tested water - he saw that blue as 0 lol

Was it the same blue we called .25 5 days ago maybe

Red sea has been calling it 0 for a week though.

Looking at neon green frog hammer thing or nemo next.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

Oh maybe not seems not as easy as I thought

 

[thelawnwrangler]

Tony Nitrates are 50- what do you think about a water change 15-20%? Was thinking of adding Chemipure and purigen soon as well.

Only concern is didn't want to remove nitrates and not give the deep nitrate bacteria a chance to follow develop

 

[gone fishin]

I would do a WC. Just remember if your nitrates are 50ppm and you do a 50% WC theoretically your nitrates should then be 25ppm. High nitrates, say under 100ppm , will not have much of an affect on most of our early additions of fish and CUC. Assuming you have not added anything overly sensitive.

It will take along time for some of the bacteria to develop. The initial cycle is the just the first step. To me this is one of the things when folks talk about a tank maturing. I would speculate in the coming year your tank will go through many changes from algae coming and going, to bacteria maturing, Water chemistry getting stable and ultimately you should be able to look at your tank and know something is a bit off.