High Nitrite any advice?

[hottievols]

I have a 60 gallon saltwater aquarium with 45 lbs of live sand and 45 lbs of live rock. I have had this system up and running for about 4 weeks. The ammonia is 0, the nitrate is very low and the nitrite is high, ph is a consistent 8.0. I have done water changes of 20 gallons every other day for about 2 weeks and cant seem to get the nitrite down. I have also tried using the stress zyme to help and it hasn't worked. HELP!!

 

[jessicasmarine]

Sounds to me like the second stage in cycling the tank. It is normal to have a spike in nitrite if you have a lot of uncured LR. After the Nitryfing bacteria convert that to nitrate you will be well on your way. Do you have any livestock in the tank?

 

[hottievols]

No I don't have fish or inverts as of yet i have been waiting to get my nitrite down first. Since everything I have read says to get it to zero first

 

[roka64]

Yep, sounds about right, your nitrItes should start dropping and the nitrAtes will go up. I wouldn't worry about the PWCs until the ammonia and nitrItes are at 0.

 

[hottievols]

Thanks guys for your advice I know where to go for help now.

 

[roka64]

Yep, free advice!! Go VOLS!!!

 

[melosu58]

your nitrItes should start dropping and the nitrAtes will go up. I wouldn't worry about the PWCs until the ammonia and nitrItes are at 0.

Exactly right