nitite opinions regarding slight problem

[reeves2k2]

done the weekly 10% water change today and tested water prior to this readings are as follows:
200l 38" tank
nitrite - between 0.1 and 0.3 on the kit so prob 0.2
nitrate - 0
ammonia - 0
ph 8.3
SG .23
phos - 0.00 -may be slight reading but have identified this earlier in week

i am a bit unsure why i have a nitrite reading and hoping someone may know or have some idea what may caused this

i have no problems with current stock which is minimal at the mo 2 clowns wrasse and gramma ( so not overstocked) nothing has died in the past 2 months
around 15-20x flow

the only thing been done in the past 2 months was re-scaping around 5 weeks ago

anybody any clue just seems strange that my nitrate and ammonia are both zero this has been crossed checked at lfs so kits are fine

[mousehunter22]

Im no expert but i beleive that nitrate feeds on nitrite so if you have a nitrite reading then surely the nitrate is gunna creep up at some point!!!:confused:

Could the problem be a die off of the LR or possibley clogged (detris build up) LR????:confused:

Just a couple of ideas:D

[reeves2k2]

well there shouldnt be any die off as live rock hasnt been out of the tank since i got it up and running over 5 months now and when re-scaping it was in the tank and never out

there is also plenty of space ect for flow through and around LR so dont think that is the problem im just stumped and looking at all sorts but cant seem to find a problem

even LR was cured when it was bought so only had a mini cycle initially when setting up

would just rather keep on top of things before they escalate into something major

[Gaters]

I agree with mousehunter, similarly no expert tho-if you have a nitrite reading there should be a nitrate reading. As far as i know the bacteria in your live rock 'consumes' nitrite and produces nitrate.

What type of test kit are you using and can you get a 2nd opinion-from a different test kit. I, and most others i think, swear by salifert kits and wouldn't use/trust any other.

Could it be caused by overfeeding? (Just a thought)

Just one more thing-i think at those levels your fish would be looking a bit 'ropey' at least.

[reeves2k2]

well all fish are fine active eating no signs of anything being wrong toadstool is fine also

cross checket readings with lfs who confirm the same as posted above im using salifert kits and also have a spare hagen kit for both nitrite and nitrate which i use for freshies

so i just cant understand it i have only today noticed this and test religiously every week at least

tanks been running approx 6-7 months happily

im like u no expert on the matter i understand how it all works and how they are all connected so cant understand how there is no other reading on nitrate or ammonia

also i dont think im overfeeding but even so if that was the cause there would be other trace readings at least i would have though again im no expert so just stabbing in the dark myself
if they was fair enough and work on from there but i just cannot find any reason for it

[steve 450]

what your describing is exactly whats happening in my tank now & i thought the same, why 0 readings elsewhere ?, fish & corals look fine

[reeves2k2]

i forgot to add i rechecked reading the day after and nitrite was still showing a reading with all others zero

no problems with livestock

so i really dont no just though some of the water experts might