Nitrite Problem

[jrussuk]

hi i have a 10g tank planted tank with 5 galaxy rasboras since i done a water change at the weekend ive noticed my nitrites have gone up to about 1.0pmm and ammonia is 0 does anyone think i have a dodgy test kit? (its a nutrafin mini master test kit). im gonna do a 20% water change now but can anyone help me? by the way the fish look relly well and lively not gasping for air ,they are eating and there colours look bright so im a little confused i also cant do a nitrirate test till tomorrow ( ihave run out of nitrate test)

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

How long has the tank been set up and did you use dechlorinator in the water change? Did you clean out the filter at all- how dirty was the subtrate?

 

[jrussuk]

the tank has been set up about 2 1/2 months i fishless cycled, i used a dechlorinator when i done the water change at the weekend i didnt clean the subtrate didnt think it would need it . the only thing i done to the filter was take out the carbon and put more sponge in

 

[jrussuk]

sorry can any one give me advice?

 

[mark.w.jones]

How did you fishlessly cycle your tank. Describe your method and the test results you were getting in terms of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before you added your fish. You shouldn't get a nitrite spike like the one you described, especially when you stocked so few fish. You are only about a third stocked at the moment.

 

[jrussuk]

Fishless cycled using add and wait method what i can remember was ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate after 90% water change was 20

 

[mark.w.jones]

Fishless cycled using add and wait method what i can remember was ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate after 90% water change was 20

Sounds fine to me. Have you over fed? Fish only need a small pinch food once a day. Just enough that they eat it all in 1 minute. If you go for more than this or more often, then lots of uneaten food falls to the bottom of your tank and then breaks down to ammonia. Also, have you given your tank a good gravel vac once a week since adding your fish.

 

[jrussuk]

Cheers i only give them about 2 flakes broken up into crumbs once a day didnt think it was a good idea 2 gravel vac for a while cos i thought it might affect the bacteria in the gravel but i will give it a vac tomorrow if nitrites havnt gone down

 

[mark.w.jones]

Also, If your nitrites are that high you really need to be doing 20% water changes every other day until they come down a bit.