whats causing this

[ridleywr24cb]

started new 10 gallon for my mandarin. took peice of my live rock from my 75 gallon and the sand and the water. next day i tested my 10 gallon and i have nitrite of 5.00 ppm!!!! tested my 75 gallon tank where i got the water from it read 0.00. how can this be? all other readings were fine exept the nitrites. now i cannot put my mandarrin in until i figure this one out. anyone have a clue?

 

[AliciaP]

cycling?

 

[GrandPa_J]

Definitely Cycling, new tank even with mature ingredients will take time to establish the Bio filter capabilities.

 

[hossa81]

Definitely Cycling, new tank even with mature ingredients will take time to establish the Bio filter capabilities.

+1 all tanks need time for the bacteria to populate and grow

 

[WillM]

I'm not real sure that a mandarin is the best choice for a 10G tank unless that 10G tank is linked via the sump to your main tank. You might want to read more about Mandarins and their special dietary requirements before you buy one:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=501

 

[WillM]

Double post....

 

[thegrun]

I would say the trapped nutrients in the relocated sand caused a spike in the nitrates. If your ammonia is 0 "all my other readings were fine" then the tank is NOT cycling, you are seeing the result of the sand bed being disturbed. The already cycled live rock (assuming all the rock in this tank are from your 75 gallon tank) should prevent a new cycle provided you don't add a large bio-load to the tank.

 

[ridleywr24cb]

will im one of the lucky ones my mandarrin eats frozens all day hes very fat. thegrun yes my other water parameters are ideal just the nitrites. and yes same rock that was cycled in the 75 galloon. im starting to agree with u i believe it was disturbing the sand.

 

[WillM]

:thumbsup: Good deal, just wanted to make sure he was able to eat frozen and you were able to keep up with the filtration on a 10G tank and still keep him happy. Good luck.

will im one of the lucky ones my mandarrin eats frozens all day hes very fat. thegrun yes my other water parameters are ideal just the nitrites. and yes same rock that was cycled in the 75 galloon. im starting to agree with u i believe it was disturbing the sand.

 

[ridleywr24cb]

Thank u all