Nitrite rising HELP!

[vteel]

Hello All,

My Nitrite has risen from between 0 - .25 to a definite .25ppm. A water change is the only way to get this back down correct? My Ammonia level is between 0 - .25 and my Nitrate level is 0. My ammonia has gotten better and so has my Nitrate but now my Nitrite is rising. I'm going to do a 20 gallon water change (75 gallon tank) tomorrow as well as add ceramic noodles to my canister filter, add more snails and crabs, as well as replace my Seaclone with a new Seaclone (it's the only skimmer that will fit behind my tank and I've never had issues with it up until now).

I decided to replace my Seaclone with a new one. When I first set up my tank I did not have a filter and I was running my Protein Skimmer. It filled up with crap so fast that I couldn't see through it. I'm now wondering if all the residue and crap that was being pumped through it ruined something in the motor, clogged it up? Because I had never had any problems with it before in the 3 + years I had it running in my 29 gallon.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

vteel

 

[Reefscape]

Well, technically, that is correct. as you have had effectivly a new cycle in the tank. The ammonia has raised and peaked which then gets converted to nitrite. So, your nitrite will go up untill it starts to be converted to nitrate...get the water change done and lets see how it goes...

The crap that has built up in the skimmer is how it show be, shows that its working correctly...it should not have any effect on the skimmer pump though, how often do you clean it?

Niko

 

[vteel]

Are you saying my tank is still cycling or is this what happens once the cycle is complete? The LFS tested my water the other day (Nitrite and Nitrate were @ 0 with a PH of 8.3 and Ammonia between 0 - .25.

I just cleaned my Protein Skimmer this past weekend. I ordered a new one that will arrive tomorrow, better to be safe than sorry, I don't need any other issues right now. As I mentioned, up until recently I've never had any issues with my Seaclone, so I'm hoping a brand new one, right out of the package, will clean things up, as well as the water change and added ceramic noodles to canister and addition to cleaning crew.

It figures that after I ordered a new skimmer it started foaming late last night as I awoke to a green bubbly film. Oh well, new one's on the way. I guess I'll have a back up skimmer. What about running both?

vteel

 

[Reefscape]

Would not run two skimmers on there, just keep one as a backup, or sell one....

If i remember correctly, you have been having issues with ammonia? if you have had ammonia issues, i.e high ammonia, then this has to be converted by the bacteria, which in turn generates the nitrites..as in the nitrogen cycle...

Niko

 

[Germanman]

Would not run two skimmers on there, just keep one as a backup, or sell one....

If i remember correctly, you have been having issues with ammonia? if you have had ammonia issues, i.e high ammonia, then this has to be converted by the bacteria, which in turn generates the nitrites..as in the nitrogen cycle...

Niko

i agree with niko