Nitrite Question
- Thread starter CagIII
- Start date
In a fully cycled tank, the nitrites should always be zero.
The only reason it would go up is too much waste (overfeeding, over stocked, or under-cleaned). Probably see elevated ammonia as well.
The waste overwhelms the biological filter and the bacteria can't keep up.
A short-term spike can sometimes be seen when adding new fish.
The only reason it would go up is too much waste (overfeeding, over stocked, or under-cleaned). Probably see elevated ammonia as well.
The waste overwhelms the biological filter and the bacteria can't keep up.
A short-term spike can sometimes be seen when adding new fish.
or changing the media so the bacteria needs time to grow back.
is this something going on in your tank? tell us more about it if it is. how often you do water changes what % how big what fish how long its set up
is this something going on in your tank? tell us more about it if it is. how often you do water changes what % how big what fish how long its set up
It is usual but there are sometimes nitrites in tap water. Also chloramine, not properly treated will produce ammonia which could cause a spike in nitrites as well while bacteria grows.
Nitrite eating bacteria are much slower at reproducing than ammonia eaters, so if the spike was small the ammonia eating bacteria could easily have caught up fast while the other lags.
Nitrite eating bacteria are much slower at reproducing than ammonia eaters, so if the spike was small the ammonia eating bacteria could easily have caught up fast while the other lags.