high nitrites

[foxyfish]

need advice!!
nitrites in last 7 days have gone from 10 to 3 to 5 and back down to 3 again today. All else normal
have done 3 water changes added aqua safe, easy balance and safe start each change. Using tetra app for information Have also changed filter. Fish are all fine. What next.??

 

[Colin_T]

Don't change your filter.

The filter media/ material, pads/ cartridges hold beneficial filter bacteria. If you replace these media, you get rid of the good bacteria and have to start cycling the tank over from scratch.

New filters should not be cleaned for 8 weeks or at least 2 weeks after the tank has finished cycling. When you clean the filter, you wash the filter media in a bucket of tank water and re-use the media. The bucket of dirty water gets tipped on the lawn.

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In the mean time, reduce feeding to once every couple of days, and do a 75% water change any day you have an ammonia or nitrite reading above 0ppm.

When the tank has cycled you can increase feeding to every day and do a water change each week.

 

[foxyfish]

Thanks for info
Should I put old filter back in the tank? I still have it in our sink or has it been out to long. It is still wet?

 

[Slaphppy7]

If it's still wet, put it back, unless it was contaminated from chemicals in the sink.

Read about fish-in cycling here: https://www.fishforums.net/forums/cycle-your-tank.291/

 

[foxyfish]

If it's still wet, put it back, unless it was contaminated from chemicals in the sink.

Read about fish-in cycling here: https://www.fishforums.net/forums/cycle-your-tank.291/

It is still wet and nothing has been in sink. It is still ok even if its been out for few days?? Sorry we are still newbies to this hobby

 

[Slaphppy7]

Nah, if it's been out a few days, trash it...no apologies necessary, we were ALL beginners, at some point.
DO read and understand about the nitrogen cycle in the link I provided, it's imperative that you follow the fish-in cycling method to get that tank cycled.
Get a master test kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NCI/?tag=ff0d01-20

And get this water conditioner, it's the best for FW, IMO: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00025694O/?tag=ff0d01-20

 

[foxyfish]

Ok will check out link and reread. I'm open to recommendations on what brand or products to use. We have been using the strips and tetra app following their advice. We haven't had much luck getting the same answers at pet store. 5 opinions on same thing. So I decided to use this forum for help from experienced fish enthusiasts. I'm happy for any help. Will check nitrite levels today and report back for help ?
THANKS for advice and help all are appreciated!! I dont know what all products to keep on hand for "emergencies" Beginners Syndrome LOL

 

[Slaphppy7]

More than welcome.

Yes, DO NOT depend on advice from your LFS...their sole purpose and intent is to sell fish and fish products = more $

 

[Boundava]

I would add that you should stop using disposable cartridges and modify your filter so that it holds reusable media like sponge and ceramic/pumice/glass media. My choice is Matrix from Seachem or Substrat from Eheim but small lava rocks (landscape supply) will house beneficial bacteria as well, just rinse it very well before using it. Every HOB I have owned have been modified so that I never have to use a throwaway cartridge. I will keep them in case I need to remove medications from my tank, but otherwise never use them.

You can YouTube videos showing others modifying filters so they are more efficient.

 

[AbbeysDad]

More than welcome.

Yes, DO NOT depend on advice from your LFS...their sole purpose and intent is to sell fish and fish products = more $

I don't think we can apply this to all LFS owners and employee's. Some are great and really know their stuff and others not so much. It's like advice on the internet - you just gotta take it with a grain of salt. In time, you learn whose advice you can trust and whose a wannabe guru that parots the old myths and wives tales.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I don't think we can apply this to all LFS owners and employee's. Some are great and really know their stuff and others not so much. It's like advice on the internet - you just gotta take it with a grain of salt. In time, you learn whose advice you can trust and whose a wannabe guru that parots the old myths and wives tales.

This is true, I may have painted with too broad a brush, so to speak...but I CAN tell you, from first hand experience, the "box store" employee's advice isn't usually the best...