High Nitrite/nitrate Levels

[Fwapp]

Ok then.

My tank, as described in my sig, had, I thought, completed it's cycle. I had a peak in the ammonia, then nitrite which then faded away, and then a rise in nitrates.

However, since getting my dwarf gouramis, the nitrite levels have shot up, as well as the nitates.

Current levels are ph 7.4, gh 10-16, kh 3-6, ammonia 0, nitrite 5 mg/l and nitrate 75-100 mg/l. This is after a 50% change this morning, when nitrite was 10 mg/l and nitrate 125 mg/l. Tap water is the same except for 0 nitrite and 25 mg/l nitrate.

I have been doing daily 25% changes, treating with seachem prime, and helping the filter with seachem stability (hah!) to try and keep the levels down. My tank had been running empty for 1.5 weeks before adding the danios, and another two weeks before adding the gouramis.

Has the added load of the gouramis, overcome the filter bacteria and restarted the cycling process? The danios are all pretty small, at less than 2 cms, and the gouramis are about 6 cms.

Any ideas anyone?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Most likely; Your tank is only about 10 or 12gals, which means you have to stock it even more gradually than larger tanks as the smaller the tank, the more water quality fluctuates. Im not totally sure on the gals, but either way you tank is getting near its max stocking which is not so good for a young tank going through a cycle with fish.
You should do a 20% water change with dechlorinator every other day or basically whenever nitrites or ammonia appear, gouramis as far as i know don't fair too well with very active fish and they prefer densely planted tanks- im no expert on gouramis at all, but they probably'd be much happier with some extra planting in the tank to hide in as danios can be very active fish .

 

[WILDER]

I agree with what tokis had said, and gouramis are very sensitive to water quality, really the danio shouldn't be in a tank less than 20gals as they are very active fish.

 

[Fwapp]

OK thanks for the replies.

I've taken the danios to my LFS (maidenhead aquatics), explained the situation and they've given me a credit note for the zebs. A shame really, I quite liked watching them chasing around, but I suppose it's like keeping an irish wolfhound in a high rise flat!.

This leaves me with the two gouramis, which I dont want to part with. If I leave the tank for a month before adding any other fish, spending the time to get the nitrite back down and stable, what would you recommend as tank mates. I'm not fussed for platys or guppies, and would ideally like a group that shoals, with plently of colour. I like the looks of neon and cardinal tetras.

Would these be suitable for life with my two gouramis? or do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks again.

 

[WILDER]

I wouldn't advise guppys with the gouramis as the gouramis will nip the tails of the guppys, but other livebearers are fine, and the neon tetra's or cardinals are fine too, good luck.

 

[Fwapp]

Hi, just a quick update.

After a water 50% change, my Ammonia and Nitrite have remained at 0. Nitrate is now at 30 mg/l, just above tap water levels. This is 5 days after the zebras hopefully went off to a better life!

I just now have to be patient, and enjoy my gouramis!