hi
If your nitrite is high chances are your ammonia was high, but you didnt notice. Decaying plants can cause excessive nitrite levels, but normally they cause high Nitrate levels.
If it is high, do a water change asap.
What is it at ?
it was reading at .5 ppm and the ammonia levels have been reading 0 the last 2 weeks since i got back. i do have some plants that are dying slowly... those unfortunately have not been a forte of mine, i may need new lighting and to add co2 some way, but i have been keeping up on keeping the filter clean of any dead plant matter daily and any that would be loose in my tank
just got done doing a partial water change of about 10 gal will see tomorrow if it comes down a bit or not