Hey everyone! I hope you’re well
this is my first post so please be kind! I’ve been reading so much conflicting info about high nitrites and I’m super confused.
Im extremely new to keeping fish and I want to get it right! I was told by my local fish shop to cycle my fish tank for 24 hours, come back and purchase some fish. I was told they would be fine… well that was a lie!
I’ve recently purchased 2 tanks. the first tank is a 127L (33 gallon) and a secondary hospital tank which is 21L (5 gallon).
I’ve had 3 goldfish and 5 white clouds in the 33 gallon for about 2 weeks now. I started testing about a week ago, when I noticed one of my goldfish looked as though he had been beaten. He is a white goldfish and his scales began to look bruised and red. When I originally tested, to no surprise ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were through the roof. Did some research and realised I messed up, I needed to cycle the tank. So I managed to get the ammonia right down, using some API quick start and 30% water changes daily.
It’s been about a week now, and my other fish are starting to show signs of not coping. I’ve been testing every few days, with ammonia remaining at 0. The nitrite however, is at 5ppm and the nitrate around 40ppm. ph is perfect.
I’ve tested my tap water (before and after dechlorinating) and there is 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 0 nitrate.
No matter how many 30-40% water changes I’m doing daily, I cannot get the nitrite down.
I ended up moving the dying goldfish to the hospital tank (he was barely alive, so I thought it was best to try cycling the smaller tank immediately). He died, and I kept his body in the tank for 24 hours to encourage an ammonia spike to start the cycling process. After 24 hours, I tested the water and 0 ammonia, but 5ppm of nitrite and 0 nitrates.
I’m so damn confused….
I don’t want my other fish to die…. I want to be a good fish keeper and I’ve been reading sooooo much that I think I’m making myself go crazy.
can someone please help me??
Thank you in advance!!
this is my first post so please be kind! I’ve been reading so much conflicting info about high nitrites and I’m super confused.
Im extremely new to keeping fish and I want to get it right! I was told by my local fish shop to cycle my fish tank for 24 hours, come back and purchase some fish. I was told they would be fine… well that was a lie!
I’ve recently purchased 2 tanks. the first tank is a 127L (33 gallon) and a secondary hospital tank which is 21L (5 gallon).
I’ve had 3 goldfish and 5 white clouds in the 33 gallon for about 2 weeks now. I started testing about a week ago, when I noticed one of my goldfish looked as though he had been beaten. He is a white goldfish and his scales began to look bruised and red. When I originally tested, to no surprise ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were through the roof. Did some research and realised I messed up, I needed to cycle the tank. So I managed to get the ammonia right down, using some API quick start and 30% water changes daily.
It’s been about a week now, and my other fish are starting to show signs of not coping. I’ve been testing every few days, with ammonia remaining at 0. The nitrite however, is at 5ppm and the nitrate around 40ppm. ph is perfect.
I’ve tested my tap water (before and after dechlorinating) and there is 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 0 nitrate.
No matter how many 30-40% water changes I’m doing daily, I cannot get the nitrite down.
I ended up moving the dying goldfish to the hospital tank (he was barely alive, so I thought it was best to try cycling the smaller tank immediately). He died, and I kept his body in the tank for 24 hours to encourage an ammonia spike to start the cycling process. After 24 hours, I tested the water and 0 ammonia, but 5ppm of nitrite and 0 nitrates.
I’m so damn confused….
I don’t want my other fish to die…. I want to be a good fish keeper and I’ve been reading sooooo much that I think I’m making myself go crazy.
can someone please help me??
Thank you in advance!!