Can Someone Help Me Understand This Nitrite Reading ?

[vfpsql]

I started my fishless cycle around 1/14 My ammonia is processing down to 0 daily and nitrate readings seem to be where I expect. What I'm puzzled by is the nitrite readings.

In the images below the tube on the left is tap water, the tube on the right is tank water.

When I first put in my 5 drops I see the colors in the first image. After 5 minutes I see the color in the second image which doesn't appear to match anything on the chart. Since I'm seeing the 'appropriate' color in the tap water tube, I'm assuming the test solution is valid.

What is this telling me that I'm missing ?

Minute 0

Minute 5

 

[Kairi]

i don't have a clue why it's clear, but i think the nitrite level should be read after a minute- not 5. would that make any difference?

 

[IovaykInD]

It is 5 minutes..but looking at the tube, it looks clear definately. However, there's a little pink tint to it. Definately, no way of telling the nitrite level with that, but does it just slowly disappear when it's going to five minutes?

 

[vfpsql]

It is 5 minutes..but looking at the tube, it looks clear definately. However, there's a little pink tint to it. Definately, no way of telling the nitrite level with that, but does it just slowly disappear when it's going to five minutes?

That's pretty much what it does, and that's why I'm so puzzled.

 

[Asmp41]

Believe me when you have Nitrite it will rise. If there is no fish there will be no Nitrite unless your adding Ammonia in which case it may not be the same.

 

[vfpsql]

Believe me when you have Nitrite it will rise. If there is no fish there will be no Nitrite unless your adding Ammonia in which case it may not be the same.

According to the initial color I do have nitrite. I'm maintaining a level of 3ppm of ammonia and its processing to 0ppm within 24 hours.

.

 

[Asmp41]

Yes but its still in the blue zone. I have just cycled a tank and it will spike when you add fish to the tank and go deep purple. Thats why you need the Ammonia to spike and then the bugs in your filter to turn it to NitrIte and then the end result your looking for is the filter to give you the end product of NtrAte.
The Ammonia represents the fish waste. the filter grows bacteria qualities and changes the ammonia to NitIte then that filter through to NitAte.

It takes time but your doing well. It will spike but to the colour on the right. It takes about one month to siz weeks for a tank to complete it's cycle. Other do say you can speed this up but will get spikesafter adding fish also.

 

[vfpsql]

I came axross someone who had the answer... too much nitrite to test !

Turns out the test kit will do this when the nitrite level is MUCH higher than the highest indication. The trick is to use half tap and half tank water for the sample, then mutliply the result by 2 to get your reading. My nitrite looks to be between 15 and 20ppm using that method, and the color is staying consistent throughout the time period.