Salvatore

Has anyone ever gotten a false nitrite reading from using STRESS COAT +?

I have a tank that has been running now about 3 months. I have 0 ammonia and the nitrate level is at 10 but my NITRITE is up @ 1. (API test kit)

I have been told that the aloe Vera in the stress coat + can turn into sugars then into nitrite?!!! Has anyone ever heard of this??

midnightwolf

no i have never heard of that, this is strange. i use stress coat + and my nitrite is at 0

Salvatore

I use it in my other tank and it is also at 0. Something else must be wrong?

Lucy

I've never had a problem with Stress Coat+ effecting any of my readings. I've read about sugar bring nirates down but doubt the source of that info.
It would be a good idea to look for another resaon as to why your nitrites are be elevated.

AmongthePuffers

huh, ive never heard of stress coat effecting the nitrites, and thats what im currently using. Maybe its something else?

harpua2002

I wouldn't use Stress Coat personally as I don't feel it's necessary, but I seriously doubt that it caused a nitrite spike/false positive reading in your tank. Are all your fish accounted for? Did you over-clean your filter media by any chance? Any new additions lately? I'd imagine there is another cause for your problem.

AmongthePuffers

How do you mean its not necessary? I use it for WC's as a conditioner because my tap water alone is lethal.
Of course, that's the only thing I'd use it for.

harpua2002

Any dechlorinator will work. I use Prime. The additives (aloe vera) in Stress Coat are completely unnecessary IMO.

AmongthePuffers

Well, yes, I suppose that might not be necessary. But everyone has there own opinion.
I was actually going to try out prime from my local petco but they were out of stock when I went to buy it.

cerianthus

When experiencing sudden nitrite (NO2) reading, it could be for few reasons
All Ican think of is the following at this moment.
1. pH has dropped/dropping too low.
2. Test vial was contaminated (not thoroughly rinsed)
3. Experienced sudden surge of Ammonia (NH3) recently?
4. Aeaerobic bacteria (dead zone) is developed (maybe since s/w, under the rocks)
5. Tap water has NO2?

You may have ran few test already but if have not, run another test using clean vial.

Edited since S/W.
If you are using liquid test kit for S/W and experiencing what may seem false readings then get powder Test kit where reagents are packed in aluminum foil w/ expiration date.


I dont know the age of tank or LR but it could be things dieing off or foods decaying under the LR.


1. Do a test on tap for NO2, then add single drop of Stresscoat+ to same vial and let it sit to see if color changes
2. Do nitrite test of tank water and add single drop of stresscoat+ to same vial to see if color darkens.


Sugar can be utilized as C source in denitrification process but dont add to the tank. It is too expensive for that purpose. I am sure sugar is not added to Marsh to process anaerobic activities.

btw, nice angel and trigger.

Salvatore

Hey Guys,

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you all. I hade some wisdom teeth removed and have been out of commission for almost a week. Not too bad except for the fact my face blew up like a giant porcupine puffer, and all the pain killers have helped! ! lol Thanks for all the responses and the ideas. Still looking into my problem but my numbers seem to be going down.

Also thanks Cerianthus for the kind words on the pictures. I have not posted new ones in quite a while. Have some new additions that you all might like. I'll get started on that asap! thanks