Re: False Positive Nitrite Test

To: aquatic-plants at actwin_com
Subject: Re: False Positive Nitrite Test
From: Tyson Lee <tyson at phoenix_net>
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 96 01:43:35 -0600


> Okay, I'm befuddled.  I set up another (!) tank three weeks ago - gravel,
> nice piece of driftwood (purchased, not found), two coconut half houses
> (de-fruited and scrubbed) and plenty of plants.  I tested the water the
> day before yesterday (before putting little Kribs in - hallelujah) and
> the nitrite level is off the scale; with a Tetra test, one drop of the
> second reagent turns the water deep, dark red.  The other kit is an A.P.
> dry-tab test - turns darker than the indicator for a level of 5 ppm.
> I've done two 50% water changes and the results are the same.
> There is also a low level of ammonia.
> 
> I tested other tanks to make sure the reagents haven't "gone bad" and
> the other tanks test fine.  A test of tap water shows no measurable nitrite.
> 
> My question:  could something in the coconut shells be resulting in a
> false positive test?  Or could they be the source of the nitrite?  Would
> the little bit of decaying plant matter drive the level that high?  (There
> was no filtration on the tank until Wednesday.)
> 
> Since I don't need the tank this minute, it's an interesting puzzle.
> 
> TIA,
> Cynthia

Sounds to me like your tanks has not completed its Nitrogen Cycle is all.  Give it 
two more weeks or so and it will be fine.  Better yet, add some FritZyme to the tank 
and only wait about 4 days. 

Tyson Lee
tyson at phoenix_net
http://tyson.cet.net/~tyson