High Levels When Doing Water Tests

[damovts]

Oh dear looks like you need to do more water changes Im afraid, sky high nitrite is not good at all, 50% at a time, every couple of hours if necessary, although with nitrite readings it means you are processing some ammonia which is good, nitrite is just as harmful to the fish.

Yep we have never had nitrite so high before so im guessing ammonia might be finally converting itself

 

[damovts]

Oh dear looks like you need to do more water changes Im afraid, sky high nitrite is not good at all, 50% at a time, every couple of hours if necessary, although with nitrite readings it means you are processing some ammonia which is good, nitrite is just as harmful to the fish.

Yep we have never had nitrite so high before so im guessing ammonia might be finally converting itself

did another 50% *twice of the day*

Ammonia is down to .5, nitrate is on 10, and nitrite is of the chart!!

Gonna do another 50% in a minute before bedtime, is nittrite going of the chart all of a sudden a good thing?

 

[minxfishy]

Well its a good thing in terms of the cycle, but as you know its an extremely bad thing for the fish, I hate to say it, but be prepared to lose some if not all of the fish. Can you increase aeration into the tank, either via an airstone or by the filter outlet to break the surface of the water? If you can, do it as soon as possible. Nitrite binds to the oxygen carrying component (haemoglobin) in the blood, symptons include gasping and rapid gill movement, on top of the ammonia poisoning they have already suffered, your fish need to get relief as quickly as possible.

Is there anyway you can re-home these fish temporarily? Ask your LFS or someone with a tank? Just until the cycle is complete?

In the meantime, water changes and plenty of them, also the nitrite stage of the cycle usually takes twice as long as the ammonia stage of the cycle, therefore you will doing this for many more weeks to come. If that nitrite does not come down with 50% start with 75% and keep going as often as need be. Good luck, keep us informed of your progress

 

[damovts]

Well its a good thing in terms of the cycle, but as you know its an extremely bad thing for the fish, I hate to say it, but be prepared to lose some if not all of the fish. Can you increase aeration into the tank, either via an airstone or by the filter outlet to break the surface of the water? If you can, do it as soon as possible. Nitrite binds to the oxygen carrying component (haemoglobin) in the blood, symptons include gasping and rapid gill movement, on top of the ammonia poisoning they have already suffered, your fish need to get relief as quickly as possible.

Is there anyway you can re-home these fish temporarily? Ask your LFS or someone with a tank? Just until the cycle is complete?

In the meantime, water changes and plenty of them, also the nitrite stage of the cycle usually takes twice as long as the ammonia stage of the cycle, therefore you will doing this for many more weeks to come. If that nitrite does not come down with 50% start with 75% and keep going as often as need be. Good luck, keep us informed of your progress

yep we got a air stone in there for them

Did another test last night after another change, ammonia is on .25, nitrates was on about 10, and nitrites was on about 15

 

[damovts]

did a 50% change today

Results are

ammonia 0
Nitrate 10
Nitrire .25 - 0.00 *in the middle*

This a good thing i take it?

 

[minxfishy]

Great you have got those levels down, now you just need to keep them there

Keep testing, anytime ammonia or nitrite go above 0.25ppm you know what to do

 

[damovts]

Thanks guys