Why do I have Nitrites?

[Grizzly]

 I have a hex tank think it’s in the 20 -30 gallon size newly dirted with pea gravel cap about a month ago . With the seeded sponge filter and there were no nitrites or ammonia after 24 hours and like 10 nitrates so I added my shrimp ( about 30 cherry shrimp) also have ramshorn snails and an Endler trio I got for a swap meet a couple weeks ago. As far as plants I have red root floaters , crypt tropica , dwarf sag, tiger lotus bulb I just planted, and a few stems of ludwigia Repens . Now the last 2 weeks I have been having nitrites according to the Co Op tests strips at 1. Nitrates at around 10 and 0 ammonia. Anyone have any idea why the nitrites have popped up? Could it be the soil? 

[Apulo]

It might be that with the increased bio load your cycle is mature enough to consume all the ammonia immediately but isn't mature enough to convert the nitrite as quickly. I'm having the same issue.

[Patrick_G]

It could also be plants consuming ammonia and leaving Nitrite. I’ve also had very small traces of Nitrite show on the co-op test strips when nothing comes up on the API test. 

[Grizzly]

@Patrick_G

I was thinking the same thing then just tested with the API kit and it said .5 nitrites 

I debated doing a water change but I thought with that small an amount and no ammonia I will ride it out till hopefully it rights itself or I figure out a cause or it gets worse 

Edited March 18, 2022 by Grizzly

[Apulo]

I bought a bottle of Seachem Prime to ride mine out. It seems to be helping.

[Patrick_G]

On 3/18/2022 at 11:57 AM, Grizzly said:

@Patrick_G

I was thinking the same thing then just tested with the API kit and it said .5 nitrites 

I debated doing a water change but I thought with that small an amount and no ammonia I will ride it out till hopefully it rights itself or I figure out a cause or it gets worse 

When it happened to me I did the same thing plus the Seachem prime like @Apulo mentioned.