Nitrite Question

[Guppy Mama]

Hello, I have a general question about nitrites.


I moved my fish from a 20 gallon fully cycled tank in to a new 50 gallon tank w/the 20 gallons of cycled water.

Since then, there has been a nitrite spike, and I have been doing water changes each day to lower nitrites. The amonia is still at 0, but AFTER my water change today the nitrites still read at .50

Do I need to do another water change, or can the fish toerate this until tomorrow?


I know that 0 nitrites is what I want, but is there a less than ideal, mid-cycle acceptable level? THANK YOU!

 

[heresmike]

I'd say .5 is OK for now.

Did you also move the filter media, gravel, or something other than the water? The water has very little beneficial bacteria, so if you didn't move the filter media or gravel, etc, the new tank will be going through a cycle.

 

[Guppy Mama]

I did move the filter media, but not the rocks. Thank you for putting my mind at ease so that I can sleep tonight knowing I am not neglecting the fish! I am grateful to know about the beneficial bacteria more in the rocks etc, than the h2o itself. It's an important thing to know seeing as my tanks keep getting bigger and bigger. Thanks for getting back so quickly, as well. Much appreciated! Claire



Thanks from the fishies, too.

 

[heresmike]

Glad to be of service! Just keep an eye on those water tests!!

 

[Guppy Mama]

That's a deal I can keep!

 

[jams.alaskan]

Koi are SO wonderful but they are dirty buggers. He's going to keep you hopping for a while through this mini cycle but if you keep up on it you should both make it through.

ALASKA

 

[Guppy Mama]

He really is a dirty bugger! I had no idea the difference in waste. I thought it was up to par w/my goldfish, who is actually bigger than the koi!


Everyone in the tank appears active, hungry (don't worry, I am feeding minimaly), and they follow me to the limits of theri tank as I wak by.

I have another nitrite question:

If I use some decorations, as opposed to the gravel, of a fully cycled tank when I move to a bigger one, do the decorations carry the good bacteria, as well?