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#1
08/08/2002, 03:35 PM
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nitrite question
well, in short, my tank sprung a leak, and I ended up buying a new tank, and putting the half of the water that was left and the sand that was in the tank in the new one. I tested the water today, wondering if I could add my stuff back into it yet. My ammonia level was good, but my nitrites were high. Is this the end of the cycle, and I should be letting my stats drop to zero, or is it something else?
Brandon 
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#2
08/08/2002, 05:26 PM
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Actually, if your ammonia levels are zero, but your nitrite levels are up high, then you're about half-way through the nitrogen cycle. Nitrifying/beneficial bacteria needs more time to convert toxic nitrite to nitrate. Keep your protein skimmer going, if you're using one, and run carbon to clean it up, too. In time, your nitrite levels will drop to zero. Also, if there's any livestock in the new tank, be especially careful about overfeeding, too.
Also, if you have access to macroalgae/caulerpa, buy some and use it in your tank. It will "absorb" ammonia, nitrite, phosphate, silicates, etc. and you won't have to wait for nitrifying bacteria to convert your high nitrite levels. As an example, I bought my macroalgae 6-pack from IPSF.com. But some LFS may sell some, too. -Michael.
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