My Boys Fish Are Dying

[Akasha72]

Hi, it sounds like the cycle is at it's very beginning. Ammonia is the first stage of the cycle. Once the bacteria to deal with ammonia forms the 2nd batch of bacteria forms to deal with nitrite. Once that has formed then we start to see signs of nitrate and from what your seeing this is beginning to happen. It's all good news in terms of the cycle.
 
But, we're not there yet. You still need to keep up the water changes. Nitrite is just as harmful to the fish as the ammonia and so now you need to keep both ammonia and nitrite at zero. Keep up the hard work ... I promise you, you are getting there. Your doing great and I'm so proud and pleased that your sticking with it and not giving up 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Continue daily monitoring... but now the NITRITE is the biggest concern, more so than the ammonia.
 
 
What are the fish in the tank again?   Dealing with nitrite is a bit different from ammonia.  You can deal with it with water changes, but this will actually extend your cycle... or you can deal with it with salt, but this will put stress on certain fish.  
 
 
Just so that you know what the dangers of nitrite are:  Brown blood syndrome.
 
Nitrite taken in through the gills by the fish, turning their blood brown, in place of the oxygen that they need, and they slowly asphyxiate.  Adding salt (standard sodium chloride) to the tank inhibits the uptake of the nitrite.  The fish take in the chloride to their blood, effectively blocking out the nitrite.   BUT, the amount of chloride needed to be added is based on the level of the nitrite.
 
Using a product like "Prime" can also 'detoxify' the nitrite for up to 48 hours... but it shouldn't be counted on alone, as its effectiveness wears off.  But, it is a simple solution to the problem.  We can get into that later... as needed.

Continue daily monitoring... but now the NITRITE is the biggest concern, more so than the ammonia.
 
 
What are the fish in the tank again?   Dealing with nitrite is a bit different from ammonia.  You can deal with it with water changes, but this will actually extend your cycle... or you can deal with it with salt, but this will put stress on certain fish.  
 
 
Just so that you know what the dangers of nitrite are:  Brown blood syndrome.
 
Nitrite taken in through the gills by the fish, turning their blood brown, in place of the oxygen that they need, and they slowly asphyxiate.  Adding salt (standard sodium chloride) to the tank inhibits the uptake of the nitrite.  The fish take in the chloride to their blood, effectively blocking out the nitrite.   BUT, the amount of chloride needed to be added is based on the level of the nitrite.
 
Using a product like "Prime" can also 'detoxify' the nitrite for up to 48 hours... but it shouldn't be counted on alone, as its effectiveness wears off.  But, it is a simple solution to the problem.  We can get into that later... as needed.

 

[mell433]

Okie dokie, the only fish we have left is one guppy, one platy, one shrimp and one cory. So for right now il do a 25 percent water change and wait to see what u guys suggest.

 

[Akasha72]

cories can't tolerate salt. I've not heard of this method of using salt to control Nitrite - I've always done it with water changes so I'll leave you in Eagles capable hands now

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, with the cories, salt isn't an option.
 
 
Using Prime is an option though.

 

[Akasha72]

I wish salt was an option with cories ... if it was I wouldn't be spending so much on melafix to fix a cory with a cut. Any other fish and it would get a weak salt bath which is probably far more effective

 

[Byron]

I agree with regular partial water changes and using Prime as the conditioner.  Do not overdose, only use what is recommended for the volume of water changed.
 
As JD said, Prime is effective for around 48 hours, I think Seachem told me 36-48.  Two things here.  First, nitrite tests will still show nitrite even with Prime having detoxified it, so don't let that worry you.  The nitrite is still present but is somehow bound so it is not toxic [Seachem are not exactly sure how this works, but no matter].  Second, to deal with continuing nitrite, do 50% water changes alternate days using Prime for the 50%, until you no longer have nitrite appearing with the API test.
 
Byron.

 

[mell433]

Once agian the water levels they are at the same amount as yesterday the ammonia is at 0.25, nitrate is 5.0, and the nitrite is at 0.25 then did a 50% water change. How long will it take to do this part of the cycle.

 

[Akasha72]

it's impossible to say how long it will take as it varies so much from one situation to another. Just carry on as you are, don't put the filter under any stress, and it should get there in time. It could be a few days, it could be a couple of weeks but it will get there 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Are you treating with prime to detoxify the nitrite?

 

[mell433]

Good Morning, I am happy to report 0 ammonia, yay! Nitrite @ .25 ppm and the Nitrate is @ 5.0 ppm. No we are not using prime as of yet, just water changes.Things seem to be holding consistent.
Have a great day!!!

 

[Byron]

If fish are present in this aquarium, you should be using Prime as your water conditioner with each partial water change.  Prime detoxifies nitrite temporarily (until the next water change if within 24-48 hours) and this is critical for the fish.  Exposure to even small levels of nitrite will impact the fish permanently.
 
Use the amount of Prime for the volume of water being changed, no more.
 
Byron.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

FYI, Byron.
 

We are using spring water. Not our tap water I havent found our test yet. So im not sure if the water is good. I dont think so however. 

 
 

If fish are present in this aquarium, you should be using Prime as your water conditioner with each partial water change.  Prime detoxifies nitrite temporarily (until the next water change if within 24-48 hours) and this is critical for the fish.  Exposure to even small levels of nitrite will impact the fish permanently.
 
Use the amount of Prime for the volume of water being changed, no more.
 
Byron.

 

[Akasha72]

your getting there Mell! Keep it up ... not long before your looking at a cycled tank

 

[mell433]

Good Morning Everyone!!!

I am quite estatic to write that my tests this morning are quite good!! Well I think so .... u will let me know if im right.lol.
The results are : Ammonia - 0, Nitrite-0, and the Nitrate is @ 2.5 ppm.
So is this good news!?!
Should a water change b done?