New tank problems

[glolite]

I set up a 20g 4 days ago, eventually to house brichardis. Filled new filter completely with used filter medium and added 3 penguin tetras once the temp was up. Today there is a small nitrite reading of about 0.1 but no ammonia. Should I do water changes daily, remove fish, or add more used filter medium/gravel or all three and start adding small ammonia?

 

[glolite]

bump

 

[Fiori]

I've just gone through the same problem with a 55 gall - was showing both ammonia and nitrite readings. which ended up rocketing with the nitrites.There's nothing like a bit of hard work - I did at least a 30% water change every day, for just over a week until it cycled properly. It's fine now. I've lost count of how many buckets I've lugged about for that **** tank! However I lost 4 new fish to this mini cycle, so if you can reduce the number of your fish temporarily, it would help.

 

[@ombomb]

Today there is a small nitrite reading of about 0.1 but no ammonia. Should I do water changes daily, remove fish, or add more used filter medium/gravel or all three and start adding small ammonia?

What do you mean the media didn't work?

Doesn't the fact that there's Nitrites in there suggest it worked but you need more bacteria to covert the Nitrites to Nitrates?

 

[glolite]

Today there is a small nitrite reading of about 0.1 but no ammonia. Should I do water changes daily, remove fish, or add more used filter medium/gravel or all three and start adding small ammonia?

What do you mean the media didn't work?

Doesn't the fact that there's Nitrites in there suggest it worked but you need more bacteria to covert the Nitrites to Nitrates?

Ok I see what you're saying but if I put some more used media in it should cycle?

 

[playfulalliecat]

I have never had any problems with using old filter medium. Was yours really dirty? When we do it, we use old floss or sponges that are incredibly slimy and in dire need of washing or replacing.

We also do a water change on the existing tank and put that water directly into the new tank. Not sure if that has any benefit but we've never had problems. Then again, unless my fish start showing signs of problems, I don't usually test the water. It could be that we've had nitrite spikes and it wasn't enough or didn't last long enough to cause problems.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Sometimes adding new fish can also cause the small spike you have seen. Just do daily water changes and keep an eye on it. I had the same problem when upgrading to my 40 gal.

 

[glolite]

I have never had any problems with using old filter medium. Was yours really dirty? When we do it, we use old floss or sponges that are incredibly slimy and in dire need of washing or replacing.

We also do a water change on the existing tank and put that water directly into the new tank. Not sure if that has any benefit but we've never had problems. Then again, unless my fish start showing signs of problems, I don't usually test the water. It could be that we've had nitrite spikes and it wasn't enough or didn't last long enough to cause problems.

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OK It was a really old media with lots of gunk, I'm going to do a big water change tomorrow. See you then

 

[tttnjfttt]

Don't do a big water change. At a max, do 25% at a time, anything larger will be stressful for the fish. If needed you can do this several times a day, but honestly, your nitrItes aren't that high.

 

[glolite]

Don't do a big water change. At a max, do 25% at a time, anything larger will be stressful for the fish. If needed you can do this several times a day, but honestly, your nitrItes aren't that high.

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Thanks will do