confused re nitrite!

[catwoman]

well, now im really confused after doing numerous tests all throughout yesterday with 2 different test bottles all reading 0, this morning i have just done another one and its reading 0.25ppm again, this is what seems to be happening, first thing in the morning 0.25ppm throughout the day 0.

[catwoman]

1 hour & 20 minutes later i done 3 more nitrite tests all reading at 0, it seems to be only the first test i do in the morning reads 0.25ppm i have no idea why this is happening? as colin mentioned in my origional post you would think if it was a faulty test kit it would give the same false reading on all tests? i am inclined to think i do not have a nitrite problem as all other params are at 0 & other than the first nitrite test i do all others are reading 0. i am completely confused with this

[colin]

Its not a problem Victoria - did you do any water changing ? or did you feed last ? - how often are you feeding ?. The nitrite might be linked to your feeding. food has to become ammonia which has to become nitrite which will become nitrate. Until your tank is fully fully cycled you will get nitrite spikes 5 or 6 hours after feeding. This happens a lot with tanks that get heavy water and filter changes and new set up tanks

[catwoman]

the last time i done a water change was saturday 10% i done 10% wednesday and thursday also before that i ussually do 30% once a week, i fed only twice last week because of the readings and i fed a small amount once a day saturday & yesterday, i normally feed 6 days a week once a day there is never any food left over when they feed they eat it all within about 20 seconds. how long shall i leave it before a water change & shall i reduce feeding to once every 2-3 days until there are no above 0 readings? i have'nt cleaned my filters but they only have half mature media in as explained in my origional "nitrite" post.

[colin]

carry on your normal feeding regime I dont think I would do a water change for at least 7 days after you nitrite readings have stableised in the morning. Its one of those times that old water*(as such) is better than new water. Once stable you can carry on as before

[catwoman]

thanks colin, i will follow your advice , i wonder why the nitrite is just up only in the mornings?

[colin]

I just think its the poo not being broken down quick enough and it is when you feed. Perhaps if you miss a feeding you wont get the reading