Nitrite Levels

[stelis]

hi.this topic will have been posted loads of times so apologies.the nitrite
level in my tank keeps creeping up.ive done 2 25% water changes in a week,any
tips if the best way to get this down?the tank has only been up and running
for about 5 weeks so perhaps this has something to do with itany help will be
greatly appreciated.thanks

 

[PJPJ]

Try these links

http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/nitritepoison.htm

http/freshaquarium.about.com/od/watercare/a/nitrates.htm

http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/ammoniapoison.htm

Hope these help.

Regards

 

[bitteraspects]

sounds like the tank wasnt cycled, which would put you into a fishless cycle.

keep your test kit handy, and test the water regularly. you will probably need to change your water daily (possibly twice daily depending on the test reading)

 

[stelis]

hooray.im now fully cycled.kept doing water changes till the nitrite dropped off.
i think tank makers etc should recommend a 6 week set up period as the 1 week i
was told by fluval isnt even close.2 more questions now
1. i notice that on all the posts nitrite is quoted in ppm,my tetra test kit
does it in mg/L.does anyone know how to convert this?

2. i use aquasafe to do my water change,will it do the fist any damage if a bit
too much is used?

many thanks

 

[OldMan47]

In the ranges that we work with ppm is the same as mg/l. A bit of extra water conditioner, dechlorinator, will do no harm at all. If you get too carried away, anything can be harmful though.

 

[stelis]

thats great.im down to 0.3 mg/L so it goes yellow.is this ok? or is it
possible to get it so it doesnt change at all? thanks

 

[OldMan47]

At 0.30 ppm or mg/l, there is more of the poison present than there should be. Another 50% water change would give you some room for the water quality to degrade a bit before tomorrow's testing. The intent is to always have water that is better than 0.25 ppm. That does not mean that 0.25 is good enough to stop doing water changes. Instead it means to get things in the tank good enough to find the concentration below that value before you do your water changes. The water changes are intended to set up conditions that will have the test under that value again the next day.

 

[stelis]

another 50% water change done,it would lovely to be a shareholder in mid kent water
and aquasafe!lol.all seems ok in the tank and that i could be the proud owner of
some fry

 

[OldMan47]

If the Aquasafe is helping you go broke, you could try some Prime instead. It often costs a bit more to buy but you use a lot less with each water change. In the end it is much cheaper to use.