high nitrite and low pH

prospero31 · 12-23-2005, 07:38 PM

Hi I am new to the hobby and for the most part have been able to find answers to my questions via the search function. However not one for this issue:

I am going through the curing cycle with live rock and have a nitrite 0.6 mg/L, nitrate 0.0, pH 7.8, salinity 1.025. Since the nitrite has been hanging around that level for a week or so, I was wondering if the pH was too low to allow the propagation of the bacteria necessary to convert the NO2 to NO3.

And secondly, what to do about it. I imagine option 1) is just to wait and see what happens (nothing in the tank anyway except for a growing amount of what I assume is green hair algae). Are there other options to elevate the pH as this is my primary concern (that the necessary bacteria just cannot form).

Thanks for any responses and ..great bb.

Bruce · 12-23-2005, 07:49 PM

well for the ph, there are alot of buffers that are sold, you can buy one of those, they work like a charm i have the seachem marine buffer (it raised ph to 8.3 but doesnt go over) as for the nitrates, erm...that pretty normal, you will definatly want to either get a few starter fish to get the bacteria worked up...or i know some people have used cheese clothe and put some shrimp in and let it just chill lol...im sure some other people will put their info

m_lacom99 · 12-23-2005, 07:58 PM

Most people perfere the shrimp in a nylon stocking or cheese clothe, because its sort of cruel to use live fish if you think about it. Just get a couple of nice big shrimp, depending on the size of your tank, stick them in an old nylon stocking and dump them in your tank for a week or two... That will kick start your bacteria for sure...

Marc.

Bruce · 12-23-2005, 08:53 PM

yup, for me i donated my fish to a local diner, NOT FOR FOOD! they have a nice 100gal tank lol...i visit them once and a while XD

My2heartboys · 12-24-2005, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

yup, for me i donated my fish to a local diner, NOT FOR FOOD! they have a nice 100gal tank lol...i visit them once and a while XD

You could also use a product called Cycle--it will help get the cycling started in your tank--but it will not finish cycling it for you overnight. There is also Stress Zyme and Bio Zyme and many other bacterial aids out there. Just keep in mind that it will still take a little more time for the tank to cycle.

Anne

Covey · 01-01-2006, 05:20 PM

If you already have the LR buying the bacteria in a bag stuff is kinda pointless. Just wait it out it is called a cycle for a reason. Let it happen. Also nobody really needs to get as compliticated as starter fish, peeing in your tank, or shrimp in a bag. A sprinkles of flakes a day can supply all the nitrogen you need. For that matter the curing part of curing the rock really doesn't need any help.