Nitrite Level After Water Change...

[jimmy_veal]

Hi.
I had done my weekly 20% water change added tap safe as normal and added a new cotton pad to my juwel filter, then a few hours later i checked the levels in my tank, and the nitrite had gone to 1.0, is this normal after a water change and new cotton pad? All the fish are fine and happy, eating and swimming around as normal, will the level of Nitrite go back to 0 when the cycle has kicked in again?

 

[fluttermoth]

You've probably lost some of your beneficial bacteria by throwing out the cotton pad, so you'll need to wait for the bacterial colony to regrow.

In the meantime, you need to do another, much larger (at least 75%, preferably 80 or 90%) to reduce the nitrite, as 1ppm is very dangerous to your fish.

I'd test every day and be prepared to water change again if you still have any level of nitrite present. It'll probably only take a day or two for the bacteria to recover.

 

[jimmy_veal]

Ok thanks. I'll keep an eye on it, and in future would it be more beneficial to wash the new pad in some of the old water before putting it in the tank, to prevent it from happening again?

 

[Gytas]

yes it most defenatly because you changed the cotton bad. You just lost too mutch bacteria. Follow what emo kid said and you should be fine. It would help if you put the cotton pad in the tank a few days before the change. It would allow some of the bacteria to grow on the pad.

 

[CezzaXV]

You shouldn't need to replace the pad, just wash it in old tank water if need be.

 

[KittyKat]

Firstly it's not a cotton pad, it's a nylon or polyester one: cotton rots in water.

Secondly, was the filter cycled to start off with? If yes, how and when? When did you last replace media? Because for a well (i.e. correctly, not highly) stocked and established tank, it is relatively safe to remove up to 1/3 of the media without seeing any ammonia or nitrite. It normally takes 6 weeks for new media to become well seeded, so it is best to replace media no more than once every 6 weeks. It is best to wash media in old tank water instead of replacing it, with the exception of polishing sponges, which should be replaced at the latest after a few washes because washing them will mat them, which affects flow.

 

[jimmy_veal]

I do a 20% water change weekly and change the pad once a week as suggested by Juwel, but by the sounds of the comments maybe this should just be washed out in tank water, and replaced every 6 weeks? however whenever i do replace it, the flow from the filter always seems alot better. Since the tank has been up and running about 8 weeks now, i havent replaced any filter media apart from the white pad. I shall take onboard your comments, thanks very much.

 

[KittyKat]

Since the tank has been up and running about 8 weeks now, i havent replaced any filter media apart from the white pad. I shall take onboard your comments, thanks very much.

The fact that the tank is so new is probably partially responsible for the problem. Did you do a full fish-less cycle with household ammonia?

 

[the_lock_man]

I do a 20% water change weekly and change the pad once a week as suggested by Juwel, but by the sounds of the comments maybe this should just be washed out in tank water, and replaced every 6 weeks?

Don't replace it unless it's physically falling apart. Juwel just want extra money by you buying unnecessary spares.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I do a 20% water change weekly and change the pad once a week as suggested by Juwel, but by the sounds of the comments maybe this should just be washed out in tank water, and replaced every 6 weeks?

Don't replace it unless it's physically falling apart. Juwel just want extra money by you buying unnecessary spares.

+1

And even then, don't throw out the old one right away. Just put the bits into the filter with the new one so that you don't lose all those bacteria. They will eventually move over to the new medium. I would wait a few weeks and then take 1/3 of the old piece out. Then wait a few more weeks, and take out 1/2 of the remainder (1/3 of the original amount) and then a few weeks later take out the rest. Ultimately, this method should leave you with a nice strong colony without a single spike of ammonia or nitrite.


Remember, the companies are in the business of making money, so they want you to buy new media all the time. It isn't necessary at all. Just swish the old media in a bucket of all tank water. This will get a good deal of the gunk off and allow for better water flow.

 

[jimmy_veal]

Thanks so much for all your help.