High nitrite in a new tank

[Misterfish]

Hello everyone. I'm new to this game and have just introduced 3 zebra danios and 2 leopard danios to a new tank. One leopard has died after two days and the other looks like its going too. The zebras all seem fine. The nitrite has gone excessively high and i'm struggling to find out why. The tank is a Juwel Rekord 70, with a piece of well-soaked bogwood and 8 or 9 plants. Did a 35% water change last night and readings show no change...about 0.8/1.0 nitrite.

Any clues?

 

[WILDER]

It will go high as the nitrites have to peak and then come down to zero, all you can do is water changes and add extra aeration and some salt if you have only danio's one teaspoon to the gal, good luck.

 

[Clairel]

I bought some Prime (red bottle) which brings ammonia and nitrate/nitrite levels down, ask your Tropical fish centre about what you can use...

Good luck

Claire x

 

[rdd1952]

I just looked at the description of Prime on Seachems website - PRIME. It says it changes ammonia to a non-toxic form and detoxifies nitrite and nitrate which isn't good. Changing ammonia into a non-toxic form means that no ammonia eating bacteria will develop which means your tank won't cycle. I would steer clear of all of the "cycling" products with the possible exception of Bio Spira. I say possible because I have never tried it but have hear very good things about it as long as it has been handled properly by the supplier.

 

[WILDER]

I agree, also ammonia is less tonic in acidic ph.

 

[WILDER]

Learnt that of you rdd1952,lol.

 

[rdd1952]

Misterfish, you will probably have to do daily water changes (maybe twice a day for a while) of about 25 to 30 percent. For now the main thing is to get the levels below .5 and keep then down until the tank finishes cycling.

 

[Clairel]

The Prime that i am using, i am also using "Cycle" along with it, so its putting all the bacteria back into the tank that the Prime is neutralising, but leaving the nasty ammonia behind...

I will keep you updated with my water checks

Claire x

 

[Misterfish]

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I've done a water change this evening and one yesterday. At the moment the nitrite is now down to 0.2. I'll check again tomorrow and let you all know. I have been using some Nutrafin Cycle, but nothing else. Keep you posted.

 

[jolaf]

What do do when you have a cycled tank like mine over 2 months old the water numbers have been perfect but then I got ick and am treating the water iwth rid-ick. Woudl that med make the nitrate and nitrites go higher. I have done a water change for two days now and see now difference however i am stil treating the tank. Any suggestions? The rid ick is working I think my blue gourami wil make it

Misterfish, you will probably have to do daily water changes (maybe twice a day for a while) of about 25 to 30 percent. For now the main thing is to get the levels below .5 and keep then down until the tank finishes cycling.

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[rdd1952]

What do do when you have a cycled tank like mine over 2 months old the water numbers have been perfect but then I got ick and am treating the water iwth rid-ick. Woudl that med make the nitrate and nitrites go higher. I have done a water change for two days now and see now difference however i am stil treating the tank. Any suggestions? The rid ick is working I think my blue gourami wil make it

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Some medications will kill off the bacteria colony. It is always better to use those in a hospital tank. Of course, if the whole tank has ich, that's not an option. You will just have to keep a close eye on the ammonia and nitrite. Poor water conditions (high ammonia and nitrite) will only make things worse.