0.5 Nitrite - Fish In Tank

[Little_Nemo]

Do I turn my filter off? Or leave it on? Few brown patches on a couple of plants - are they adding to nitrite level?

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, turn the filter off as it will blow the motor if it runs dry at any point.

The brown patches will be a diatoms, a kind of algae I expect; is this a fairly new tank? They won't increase your nitrites in any noticable way and should disappear soon.

 

[Little_Nemo]

Tanks been running since saturday

 

[fluttermoth]

Tanks been running since saturday

Yes, diatoms then; they'll go in time. Is this a fishless or fish-in cycle?

 

[Little_Nemo]

I had done a fishless cycle - had my qualifying week of double 0's, but then my results kept showing 0/0.25ppm nitrite every other day so decided to carry on cycling for another week as i felt i wasnt ready to get fish even though i'd had my qualifying week.

Sorry if i confused you, lol!

 

[Little_Nemo]

Tested water today, and theres still at least 0.5 nitrite - this is quickly turning into a fish - in cycle
I'm getting paranoid the constant water changes are upsetting the fish - especially my oto

 

[ian]

it won't upset the fish. If it starts going belly up give me a shout and i'll throw you some media.

 

[Little_Nemo]

My lil guy Oto died this evening - not happy, feel like I failed again!

 

[fluttermoth]

Don't feel too bad; otos are actually quite delicate and don't do well in new tanks. Even the best of us lose a fish every now and then.