itonlyrains
Fish Fanatic
I was treating my fish for fin rot with Pimafix/Melafix for a week and seems like bacteria that processes nitrites has gone from the filter (external canister). Its been a week since I stopped dosing meds (and initially I noticed high nitrites after 3 days of dosing it) and I'm doing daily 50% water changes, but it looks like nitrites are increasing at a rate 0.25 per 12 hours, so today I am probably going to do a second water change as well. I don't have any ammonia though (tank is planted, so I expected that, but just in case I've increased lighting period). How long is this nitrite spike is going to continue?
Also when doing water changes I'm using amquel+ and novaqua+ (to cover full tank), so any excess in nitrites should be taken care for initially. But can I just dose amquel+ daily without daily water changes (may be switch to once in two days)? That would probably mean I can get to level 2ppm of nitrites, but it should be bound by amquel. My nitrite test (API liquid) seems to show the same nitrite level after amquel, so I assume it just shows both bound and free nitrites, right?
Also when doing water changes I'm using amquel+ and novaqua+ (to cover full tank), so any excess in nitrites should be taken care for initially. But can I just dose amquel+ daily without daily water changes (may be switch to once in two days)? That would probably mean I can get to level 2ppm of nitrites, but it should be bound by amquel. My nitrite test (API liquid) seems to show the same nitrite level after amquel, so I assume it just shows both bound and free nitrites, right?
