High Nitrite Reading

[robin130267]

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Tank size:96L
pHh high is 7.4
ammonia:between 0 and 0.25ppm
nitrite: this is the one im worried about, looks between 2 and 5 ppm
nitrate
kH:
gH:
tank temp: 26/27

Fish Symptoms: no real symptons but notice one doesnt seem as lively as he was

Volume and Frequency of water changes: changed 20% 4 days ago, 1st change as tank only 3 weeks old

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: just cycle and aqua plus

Tank inhabitants:

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): nothing new in last week

Exposure to chemicals: none

Digital photo (include if possible):

 

[Petie]

Your tank is not cycled

You are currently doing a fish in cycle

Which means 75 - 90% water changes daily

 

[Salam]

Sounds like you are doing a fish-in cycle.

What you should do right now is perform a major water change. Something like 90%. This is the only way to get the nitrites down. They should be 0 at all times, so should the ammonia.

Then, have a look at the beginners resource centre: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/ and read up on fish-in cycling. It's going to be a pain, but the only way to save your fish. Looks like you also fell into the trap of fish shops that just want you to buy fish and who don't tell you about cycling (aka making the water safe for your fish so they don't die in their own waste). There are quite a few here who started out this way. Please come back with any question you might still have.

 

[robin130267]

Sounds like you are doing a fish-in cycle.

What you should do right now is perform a major water change. Something like 90%. This is the only way to get the nitrites down. They should be 0 at all times, so should the ammonia.

Then, have a look at the beginners resource centre: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/ and read up on fish-in cycling. It's going to be a pain, but the only way to save your fish. Looks like you also fell into the trap of fish shops that just want you to buy fish and who don't tell you about cycling (aka making the water safe for your fish so they don't die in their own waste). There are quite a few here who started out this way. Please come back with any question you might still have.

ye looks that way with the pet shop advice, water was ok till i did water change, they recommened a 20% water change after 2 weeks, glass was going green so it needed a clean, but 4 days later glass going green again, i have 7 live plants....too many? may as well sort out all problems out now, when you see 90% change is that just leaving 10% with fish in tank??
any idea what caused this as would like to avoid in future.

Robin

 

[Petie]

Its caused by fish waste

Ie poo and wee aswell as uneaten food

Just have to keep doing water changes till your filter cycles and bebeficial bacteria grow enough to convert that waste to nitrate

 

[Salam]

You should get used to weekly water changes. Most here do something like 30% weekly. It helps keep the levels at 0 once it is cycled.

The plants will help 'eating up' the nitrates, so they are fine. You can never have too many plants. Is the tank near a window? That could cause algae. Or overfeeding. How much do you feed?

Yes, I mean leaving 10% of water in, basically just about enough to keep the fish under water. Try it and you will see. The nitrites should be 0 after, but unfortunately as you are doing a fish-in cycle they will rise again by tomorrow, so you would have to do the same again. It is really a pain, but there will be an end in a few weeks time.

What caused this is simple - the fish themselves. Most of us here choose to do a fishless cycle, meaning we add a source of ammonia into the tank for many weeks so the filter can cope with the fish bioload once you add them. It takes long, but it is the safest way for fish. The fish you added are now producing waste - ammonia. This ammonia has to be processed by your filter and it is converted to nitrite. Both are deadly to fish. Then the nitrite gets processed by other bacteria to become nitrate which is safe for fish up to a higher range. You take the nitrates out by weekly water changes once it is cycled.

Have you looked into the resource centre? It explains it all nicely there.

Ha ha, petie and me cross posting here again

 

[robin130267]

thanks for the advice, im about change water, can you tell me about the aqua plus?....as i left for 30 minutes made up in bucket of water before adding to tank, is there a minmum time i have to leave before adding as it will take a few hours with such a big tank.

 

[elmo666]

Although waste matter can be associated with some algal growth, if the tank is cycling it is more than likely that the nitrates won't be that high, cut back on your lighting if you have it on for more than 12 hours a day. Probably 10 would be a maximum and more than adequate to keep most plants happy (if it has any feelings lol)

 

[Petie]

Ammonia + light = algea

Lower your lighting abit

Plus with the water changes keeping ammonia down it should start to get better

 

[robin130267]

Update, all going well with the 90% clean outs, only this time i notice small tadpole like things swimming about, can you please settle an arguement, i say they are from the plants...g/f says im a dad (baby fish) can anyone clear this up please lol.