my nitrites have gone back up.. .why?

[boozybears]

Hey guys! My 25 gallon tank is approx 6 months old. It completed the cycling process over 4 months ago and I have been having consistent readings ever since (amonia 0, nittrite 0 and nitrate around 10)

I did a test this morning (hadn't done one in 2 weeks) and for the first time nitrite has spiked up to .2 (ish). Not sure why. Everything else is as it should be. No new fish in over a month, everyone is happy and healthy....

Is there anything I can do besides regular water changes?

thanks for any suggestions!

Valerie

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Hmmmm

I have never had that problem, I have had an bit of amonia when I had goldfish but it went away after a water change.

Have the readings of your tap water changed?

 

[Phantom Thief]

Have you done anything to the tank recently? Did you wash the filter, gravel vac vigorously, etc.?

P.T.

 

[boozybears]

Nope.. nothing. In fact, i've been ignoring the tank a little bit lately ) I haven't done a water change or cleaning in over 2 weeks... hmm.. but i haven't checked the levels since then either. My hubby comes back tonite so maybe i'll get him to help me do a water change again (always let him to the syphoning thing... i don't want fishy water in my mouth lol) and i'll check the levels after that.

 

[Helium_Junkie]

Tip for siphoning, wrap your hand around the tube, so your sucking on your hand instead of the tube. Pull the water till its a few inches from the end then bung your thumb over the end while you drop the end below the water level then release.
No fishy mouth

As for the nitrites, the lack of water changes could be responsible.