nitrite/nitrate spike

So I have been cycling my tank for about a month and a half. About a week or two ago my ammonia/nitrite went to zero with small amounts of nitrate. At that time I bought a sump and set it up with a small refugium with macroalgae from an existing tank. About a week later I started stocking with cuc and some softies. I checked my tank today and the frog spawn frag is not doing good so I tested my water. Resulsts- ammonia 0ppm, nitrite 2-5ppm, nitrate 80ppm, ph 8, salinity 1.024. I also am getting an algae bloom.

Why is it doin this? And what can I do?

Chris, this is an emergency situation.
Please call the number below for immediate help.

FWIW, you should know that a 20% water change only reduced the Nitrate level by 20%.
80ppm minus 16ppm = 64ppm.
That means something else in the tank saved your butt.

Not that 64ppm Nitrate is a problem, most life will survive a short spike, but it may be important for you to know what it was that did the real job. It was the algae and bacteria. You have just witnessed the power of biofiltration. Phys described it in his post above. Algae growth and bacterial growth quickly consumes N compounds/pollution. These days, I bother much less with water changes and a lot more with algae growth, even adding more algae and turning on the lights 24/7 for a few days to let growing algae eat up the pollution.

Have you read the modern method of starting a tank which completely bypasses the cycling/waiting period? It's in the Reefkeeping Tips link below.
Keep your hands and arms inside the tank and enjoy the ride.


Edited by Mark Peterson - May 25 2011 at 8:39am

Ya that's what I thought too and so I tested the nitrate 3 times over a day period with the same results each time.. I saw in a previous post mark saying something about turning the lights on 24/7 so I did that for 2 days then did the water change. So I dunno if that played a part too but all I know is its down now. I added more snails and crabs last night. I am gonna retest the water in a few minutes.