Increased nitrite in QT

[cbrine]

So I have a 10gal QT with a sponge and ceramic bio cylinder type material in the filter (was running a week or so in my DT so help jump start the bacteria prior to putting it on my QT). I test my water daily and cycled tank with water from my DT. Water changes done weekly with freshly mixed water. About a week or so after setting up purchased chromis, a firefish and a diamond goby. Only lost one chromis to abuse? Otherwise the rest look well. I noticed end of last week my nitrite levels have been increasing but everything else remains good.
Temp:74, sal:1.025, kh: 8, ca:360, no3:0, ph:8.4, PO:0, nh:0
I was doing 10% changes daily which did nothing and then started doing 50% daily still with no major drop. I feed once a day of flake food. Tank is all glass with a few plastic pipe pieces that was boiled to sterilize. Anyone have any tips to help reduce my nitrite? After my water change (50%) I got 0.25. Help?

[Aquattro]

If there was no change at all after a 50% change, I'd try another test kit.

[tang daddy]

Also if you're talking about nitrite then it's probally cycling, since you should only be reading nitrate with fish in the qt. I believe nitrite is not good for fish. You should run a hob filter to help speed the cycle.

[cbrine]

Also if you're talking about nitrite then it's probally cycling, since you should only be reading nitrate with fish in the qt. I believe nitrite is not good for fish. You should run a hob filter to help speed the cycle.

Yeah I am currently running a AC30 with the carbon removed and just the foam and the bio ceramic type material. Had it running on my DT for a week prior to putting it on my QT. will go grab a new test kit and see what my reading comes back at. Until then, daily 1-5g changes

[George]

I wouldn't worry about nitrite or nitrate in a fish only QT. Nitrite/Nitrate are not toxic to marine fish unless the level is very high(>100ppm).
IMO you should monitor ammonia regularly in a QT. Get a good ammonia test kit and/or seachem ammonia badge.

[hillegom]

+1 on the ammonia badge. I use two in my tank transfer method of QT

[cbrine]

Already got the ammonia badge going.... Which is showing "safe" and my API test is showing 0. My nitrite is still .50-1, LFS recommended some
Bottled stuff (Prime and bio boost) so lets see how this works...

[Myka]

The Ammonia Alerts works really well, but don't rely on them for an actual reading. I've found the measurements they show are often 1/10th of the actual amount of ammonia in the water. Best practice is to dose an ammonia detoxifier as soon as you see ANY color change on the alert.

I wouldn't worry about nitrite or nitrate in a fish only QT. Nitrite/Nitrate are not toxic to marine fish unless the level is very high(>100ppm).

This is correct. Nitrite is not toxic in saltwater like it is in freshwater = even for (most) invertebrates.

You currently have enough bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite, but the bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate are not abundant enough. Just keep monitoring ammonia.

[DigitalWeight]

Here is a good article on nitrite in a reef:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/

As has been said, nitrite is not as toxic as in fresh. I am quarantining right now (first time for me) and have been watching ammonia real close. Nitrite and Nitrate are higher in my qt tank - seems to be going ok so far.