Nitrite Levels

[tttnjfttt]

signs of stress include being lethargic, gasping at the surface, red, inflamed gills, not eating, turing pale in color, clamped fins, hiding more than usual, and many other signs that I can't think of. Just watch their behavior and make sure it stays normal.

I would go ahead and stop feeding for a day or two, and then go to every other day, just to cut back on the waste produced. When I had my first tank, i fed my fish every other day, and they were fine.

 

[tttnjfttt]

i was told by someone that has been in the fish keeping hobby 40 years that you need to let the nitrites get to 0 on thier own then do a water change after of about 25%

but i guess since you have fish in their you want to keep them low enough so the fish don't die

[snapback]877926[/snapback]​

When I first started, i was given the same advice, but I think it is incorrect, or out dated. When the colony starts, it will be very small, and only use a small amount of food, which even wiht levels of .25, is still ample. As the colony grows, they will use up more of the nitrite, and it will take the levels alot longer to reach .25, and the frequency of water changes is greatly reduced.

 

[rdd1952]

i was told by someone that has been in the fish keeping hobby 40 years that you need to let the nitrites get to 0 on thier own then do a water change after of about 25%

but i guess since you have fish in their you want to keep them low enough so the fish don't die

[snapback]877926[/snapback]​

When I first started, i was given the same advice, but I think it is incorrect, or out dated. When the colony starts, it will be very small, and only use a small amount of food, which even wiht levels of .25, is still ample. As the colony grows, they will use up more of the nitrite, and it will take the levels alot longer to reach .25, and the frequency of water changes is greatly reduced.

[snapback]877929[/snapback]​

That is probably perfect advice for a FISHLESS cycle (except the final water chagne should be bigger) but not when there are fish in the tank. Cycling with fish is a very slow process. It takes extra work (water changes) and lots of patience.

 

[Barracuda518]

Yeah, Im just glad I checked the water.

I think taking the fish out is not a good idea right now, no more stress is needed. Plus, they are showing no signs, all fish are swimming in their schools as usual and the cories and yoyos are digging in the gravel like always. I am definately watching them. I just did a water change and I am going to do another tonight before I go to bed...

One more question, changing the water wont cause an Ick breakout will it, especially with the loaches?

EDIT: I also need to add the water treatment with every change too right? (aqua safe).

Sorry for all the questions, Ive never had this problem before