I have a recently setup a 63gallon tank, bought a new Fluval 305 but used old/mature HOB filter, substrate, ornaments, bogwood etc + some plattys and pleco to get the tank going, I tested it daily and it cycled within 10 days, so a few days after I kept testing then got a combination of 2" JD's and Convicts and some Red Eye Tetra dithers, all was well apart from a high Nitrate but this I realised was coming out my tap at 50 mg/l confirmed by ringing the water company, I wasn't happy with this level so decided on the Bio Nitratex product after reading good reviews.

I don't know if it's connected but 3 days after putting the Bio Nitratex in my filter the Nitrites spiked to about 0.8!! Not good. This was yesterday, I immediately did a 60% water change, this was after my usual 25% maintenance and added some Cycle and the recommended amount of aquarium salt to try and bring the nitrites down, I did this in the morning and then tested in the evening and the Nitrites has completely gone.

I thought that was the end of it but I tested again this morning and the Nitrites were again at about 0.8!!

Can this be caused by the Bio Nitratex? It also states in the start-up process that it may make the water cloudy and it sure does, it recommends using JBL Carbomec Activ ( http://www.johnallanaquariums.com/products...x?ProductID=277 ) which looks like normal carbon to me which I already have as part of the new fluval setup.

Can any one explain what might be happening with both the high Nitrites and any one with any experience with the JBL Bio Nitratex?

Also what should I do right now to bring the nitrites down, another 60% water change? Bearing in mind I have changed 85% of the water in the last 2 days!!

Many Thanks, waiting instruction!

This post has been edited by Japtastic: Feb 13 2008, 04:55 PM

sorry man i have no idea