Nitrite factory

[boshk]

I have been reading lots of thread regarding bio-balls, bio-rings etc being 'Nitrite factory' because they trap 'waste/detrius' and producing NO2

 

Some use that new MarinePure Ceramic Biomedia which has a lot of surface space.

 

So whats the difference between bio-rings, MarinePure and Live Rock? they can all trap waste?

 

I ask because i keep getting 0.25 reading on my Nitrite in my QT.

I have Fluval Biomax rings in a HOB. 1 Yellow Watchman Goby.

 

Bit lost in what to do.

WC every 2 days or when NO2 goes up?

Buy a small piece of LR and use that then bin it after quarantine?

Change media and use bottle bacteria?

 

[Newstead]

I have had 2 clowns in a 10 gallon hospital tank for 2 weeks now trying to treat a mystery lesion with bubbles on the female. So far doing 25 to 50 % water changes every other day then adding a cap of Microbacter7 or Stability to the sponge in the Aquaclear70 filter has kept all parameters in check, even running 3 meds at once. I have an ammonia badge just in case and am also running an airline opposite the AQ70 for more gas exchange. Every extra piece of food is removed with a baster after feeding, along with any poop or detritus at least 2x day.

[CronicReefer]

Nitrite is not toxic to marine life so no need to worry.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php

[seabass]

People talk about a nitrate factory, not a nitrite factory. The difference between live rock and media like bio-balls is its ability to process some nitrate. Plus, you typically have more flow (which helps suspend detritus, so that the filters can trap it) and a cleanup crew.

 

Nitrite itself is typically not a problem; however, it is usually an indication that the nitrogen cycle is imbalanced. In a mature system, you should not be able to detect any nitrite. Although, what's more important, is the bio-filter's ability to process ammonia. If you can detect ammonia, you have bigger problems.