Nitrite & Ph Problems

[ranjohns]

FHM & Waterdrop, thanks for your advice and for keeping up with what is happening with my tank. I'll keep posting.

Any ideas why the pH would rise?

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

Your welcome!

Did the pH rise only after you did the water change?

Did you add any kind of rock to the tank at all, or anything else in last couple of days?

What kind of water conditioner are you using?

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

Did the pH rise only after you did the water change? Yes. The wc was ~ 4 gallons which replaced water vacuumed out while doing a general cleaning of diatoms and other detritus.

Did you add any kind of rock to the tank at all, or anything else in last couple of days? No.

What kind of water conditioner are you using? Top Fin Tap Water Dechlorinator

My routine has not changed other than I'm back to overdosing Seachem Excel; which, you may recall, is what I did just before the pH dropped the last 2 times. For what it's worth, yesterday, before measuring the pH, I removed some dead leaves, trimmed and moved a few plants. That's it.

I thought I should recheck the pH. I'm using APIs High Range and APIs "regular" range liquid kits; both of which I used earlier to get the high pH reading. Well, now the ph is down to 7.2!

For what it's worth, nitrites are, after 10 hours, 2.0.

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

Okay, it just seems to me that there was a little hiccup in the pH, that's all.

Just as long as it does not go really low again.

What we are trying to do in our tanks is trying to simulate what happens naturally in the wild, so we are very prone to minor hiccups every now and then.

I would not worry about this, as it seems it is back to normal now.

Another thing to know is, the bacteria that process NitrIte colonize slower than the bacteria that process Ammonia, so it is going to take longer for NitrIte to go down to zero.

But trust me, one day soon you will check for NitrIte and it will be at zero. Should not be too much longer.

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

Day 89 pH 7.2 nitrites .25 after 18 hours.

Okay, it just seems to me that there was a little hiccup in the pH, that's all.

FHM, another hiccup is cloudy water - 3 days, now. I did a 4 gal water change and rinsed my 2 HOB filters but water is still cloudy. I'll do a 50% wc later today.

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

What color is the cloudy water?

Is it white, or is it green?

Or is it some other color?

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

What color is the cloudy water?

Is it white, or is it green?

Or is it some other color?

-FHM

Green...Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

Look at this.

See if it looks like the same in that picture, scroll down to see it.

http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

You have a minor algae break out, and it is most likely due to high levels of ammonia, which you are adding 5 ppm of ammonia every day.

I know it is probably somewhere among all the posts but, could you give me your tank size, you filter, and if you have any power heads?

And try to keep the aquarium lights off, and not let any direct sunlight hit the tank.

This will most likely clear once your tank has cycled, and no, it will not stall or effect your cycle in any way.

Ammonia + Light = Algae.

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

Look at this.

See if it looks like the same in that picture, scroll down to see it.

<a href="http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm" target="_blank">http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm</a>

You have a minor algae break out, and it is most likely due to high levels of ammonia, which you are adding 5 ppm of ammonia every day.

I know it is probably somewhere among all the posts but, could you give me your tank size, you filter, and if you have any power heads?

And try to keep the aquarium lights off, and not let any direct sunlight hit the tank.

This will most likely clear once your tank has cycled, and no, it will not stall or effect your cycle in any way.

Ammonia + Light = Algae.

-FHM

FHM,
I just completed a 60% water change, scrubbed the glass and did a bit of gardening. Normally, my light stays on 8.5 hours. For now, I've turned it off. I don't have a power head (what is a power head?) One last note, I've dosed ammonia to 4ppm since March 30.

Thanks,

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

A power head is a device that suctions to the inside of your tanks walls, and sucks in water, and then shoots it out very fast, creating a current in your tank.

You can do a Google search for powerhead to see what they look like. They are pretty small.

They are also used for UGF (under gravel filters).

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

day 89

did a.m. 60% wc then didn't to plug in heater until 11pm. Temp went to 76; nitrites after 12 hours were ~ 2 and after 22.5 hours, .25. I suspect the cool water temp slowed the process.

Ranjohns

 

[ranjohns]

Day 90

Algae bloom still around so turned off lights for most of day. Dosed Seachem Excel; no other ferts added.

Dosed ammonia to 4ppm. After 12 hours, nitrites were 2ppm.

Ranjohns

 

[ranjohns]

Day 91

Algae bloom still around so turned off lights for most of day. Water starting to clear. Did not dose any ferts.

Dosed ammonia to 4ppm. After 12 hours, nitrites were 2ppm.

If nitrites are not down to 0 in one week, what would you suggest doing besides waiting until nitrites go to 0. As you can tell, dealing with impatience is frustrating.

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

Have you ever cleaned, or checked to see if your filter flow is still sufficient?

It could be getting clogged a little, and that could be a reason why your nitrites are still high.

You could rinse it out in tank water, and make sure everything is functioning properly.

Have you also been checking the pH?

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

Have you ever cleaned, or checked to see if your filter flow is still sufficient?

It could be getting clogged a little, and that could be a reason why your nitrites are still high.

You could rinse it out in tank water, and make sure everything is functioning properly. Yes, on Apr. 17, when I did a 60% wc, I removed the HOB, left the bio-wheels in the tank, and thoroughly cleaned it in tap water.

Have you also been checking the pH? It is steady at 7.2+

This morning, 22 hours after dosing ammonia to 4ppm, nitrates were at .25.

Ranjohns