High Nitrite

[benhayes78]

i recently started up my 64 litre breeding tank i have 3 platys in there to cycle it i tested the nitrite today and it was 0.3-0.8 which i think is too high i changed 20% of the water did i do right ?

 

[KezJona]

I've heard people suggest an 80-90% water change, but I could be wrong

Kez

 

[benhayes78]

I've heard people suggest an 80-90% water change, but I could be wrong

Kez

oh dear i hope this isnt the case lol

 

[Aqua Tom]

I've heard people suggest an 80-90% water change, but I could be wrong

Kez

oh dear i hope this isnt the case lol

I am afraid it is the case, although in a small tank it is not too much of a chore.


Tom

 

[coldcazzie]

I've heard people suggest an 80-90% water change, but I could be wrong

Kez

This is indeed the correct thing to do. It's basic maths: if you remove 20% of the water you remove 20% of the nitrite. Even assuming the lowest reading on the range you gave (0.3) if you change 20% then you're still left with a reading of 0.26. Not really that much closer to 0 is it?
If we assume the highest reading then removing 20% leaves you with 0.64ppm still remaining.

On the other hand, a 90% water change would leave you with 0.03-0.08ppm which is much better, don't you agree?

 

[benhayes78]

I've heard people suggest an 80-90% water change, but I could be wrong

Kez

This is indeed the correct thing to do. It's basic maths: if you remove 20% of the water you remove 20% of the nitrite. Even assuming the lowest reading on the range you gave (0.3) if you change 20% then you're still left with a reading of 0.26. Not really that much closer to 0 is it?
If we assume the highest reading then removing 20% leaves you with 0.64ppm still remaining.

On the other hand, a 90% water change would leave you with 0.03-0.08ppm which is much better, don't you agree?

yes this does sound right but i have only just set up the tank and dont want to get rid of all the good bacteria

 

[Miles_hot]

Ben

You won't get rid of any bacteria - they all (well very nearly all) live in your filter. The only thing that the Water Changes get rid of is chemicals in the water - in this case the toxins which will be making life uncomfortable for your fish.

 

[coldcazzie]

as the pp said, the bacteria are in your filter, not your water, so changing water has no effect on the bacteria whatsoever, but does stop your fish from dying! (and seeing as its a fish tank, not a bacteria tank, keeping the fish alive is a good idea!)

 

[benhayes78]

Ben

You won't get rid of any bacteria - they all (well very nearly all) live in your filter. The only thing that the Water Changes get rid of is chemicals in the water - in this case the toxins which will be making life uncomfortable for your fish.

ok thank you will change the water now then will let u know how it went x