Nitrite Problem!

[petitelupin]

parameters:

ammonia: unknown, no more test strips
nitrite 2ppm
nitrate: 30
ph: 7.0

ten gallon

1 honey gourami
1 neon tetra
1 bn pleco
14 guppy fry in breeder trap

alright so my parameters have been fine lately, tank has been set up like 1.5 months and all of a sudden today my nitrites went up to 5ppm. I did an immediate water change and just tested it again and its at 2ppm. what is causing this? no new additions to the tank or anything and all the fish seem fine..no ammonia burns or awkward swimming...babies are doing just fine.

what can i do to regulate the nitrites? do i need a new carbon filter? should i clean the regular filter with tank water? need help asap!

 

[rdd1952]

The answer to your problem may be the carbon filter but not in the way you might think. If you are using carbon and changing it every couple weeks, you are throwing away your beneficial bacteria. For now, just do water changes to get the level down. I would do a 50% change and then 2 hours later do another. That should get you down to near .5 ppm. It wouldn't hurt to even make the first one 75% since you've already done one so the tap water parameters and the tank parameters would be almost identical any way.

As for the carbon, I''m not certain what typefilter you have but if it's one you can change the media in, I would get rid of the carbon and start using something lie Seachem Matrix or another pourous media that doesn't have to be chagned every couple weeks. That way you don't disturb the bacteria colony and they tank won't go into a new cycle.

 

[petitelupin]

I havent actually changed the filter at all since I got it but i did take it out while i was medicating for columnaris..i was under the impression that the beneficial bacteria lived on the foamy black filter so i lfet that in. So i SHOULD switch out the carbon filter for a more pourous one? either way im about to do another water change now!

 

[rdd1952]

I've never had to treat for columnaris but some medications will wipe out your bacteria colony. The instructions should state so though.

The bacteria actually live everywhere there is water flow to bring food (ammonia and nitrite) to them. Obviously, since the filter has the greatest water flow, that is where the vast majority of the bacteria are. If you can change the carbon filter pack for something else, it would be best. Very few of us actually use carbon. As a matter of fact, I have a grocery bag full of the little packs that come with the Whisper filter bags. I use the Matrix as it's small enough to fit in the pack without any problem.

 

[petitelupin]

right. only problem is, i live out in the middle of no where..closest fish store is petsmart which is 45 miles away..but WHEN we actually get there, i'll be sure to pick up some better filter media. just did a 40ish% water change because thats all the distilled water i had on hand..will test for nitrites in 30 mins or so and ill get back to ya! thanks!

 

[rdd1952]

Water changes will get it down and the filter media you have now will be fine. Not certain what caused the mini cycle unless it was the medication.

Depending on what other items you may need such as food, dechlorinator, etc. You might want to try ordering them online from a place like Big Als or Pet Solutions. I have ordered from both and found the service for both to be very good. You will pay some shipping (highest rate for either is $17.99 for an order of $240 or more unless you get heavy items that cost more) but with the price of gas, it's probably not much more than you pay for gas for a 90 mile round trip.

 

[petitelupin]

if i were to get Seachem Matrix how would i put it in my filter? in the past i have had filter that use carbon and this chalky white stuff in pellets, but right now i just have an aquatech filter thats good up to 15 gallons..would i need a mesh bag?

 

[rdd1952]

I'm not familiar with the filter you have so it's hard to say. If it has compartments, you can just pour some in the compartment. Where does the carbon go in the filter?

 

[petitelupin]

the carbon is contained in a foamy blue filter thing that snaps in to the main compartment...i wish i had my old whisper filter *cries* my mom gave away my 30 gallon along with 3 mature cichlids, a heater and a stand..just GAVE it away now im stuck with walmart filters..

 

[rdd1952]

If you can replace it with a regular foam filter, that would work.

 

[petitelupin]

i already have a foam filter..do you mean get another one..?

 

[rdd1952]

Just one to replace the carbon one. I doubt there is any way to put any other type media in it's place. Adding another foam pad would just allow more room for bacteria to colonize. It would also give you a good seed filter if you ever get another tank.

 

[petitelupin]

alright so i dont need carbon then? im gonna run to pet smart when i get back from break..thanks for all ur help

 

[vinylman]

No. Ideally, the only time you'll need carbon is to get rid of any medications you may have to use in the future. Remember to just rinse filter media out in old tankwater when you do a water change. You can use the media until it's just about falling apart. The manufacturers would LOVE us to change it every month.

 

[petitelupin]

right, havent changed the filter yet and i didnt plan on it..so ill just go get another foam pad and shove it in where the carbon goes..all the medication should be gone from my tank now..havent medicated in over a week, plus water changes.