Nitrite Reading Of 1 Still Wont Go Away!

[Curiosity101]

I upgraded tanks from a fully cycled 60l to a 125l, brought over my filter + decorations.

Only change, other than new water of course, was sand to replace gravel.
Well since then it seemed to go into a new cycle.

Water stats are:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1
Nitrates 10 (being kept very low due to plants and water changes, but I am seeing it increasing between changes)
pH 7.2
Temp 27 degrees

For the first week I was doing 30% water changes every single day. But after two weeks of re testing a couple of hours later just to find it straight back at 1, I am near giving up!
I'm at a loss. It seems to be refusing to drop. Does the time taken for the Nitrite decomposing bacteria to develop generally take this much longer?

I tried my lfs for some additional mature media but they said no. And yes I did keep the filter in tank water during the change. How quickly do bacteria die off? It didn't have an ammonia source for the few hours it was out of my old tank.

And there have been new fish added to the tank just before the move + after, NOT my idea may I add.
But anyways they were:
5 juvenile kuhli loach (1.5" a few days before the move)
4 juvenile gold barbs (jus under 1" each, a day or so after the move)

Is there any other reason other than the fish that could explain the constant reading?

 

[Rooster]

I think you are worrying over nothing ! From what you say, the filter WAS matured ? and only "off" for a few hours then I wouldnt loose much sleep

... you DID dechlor the water before the filter was put back in ? (just thinking aloud !)

 

[Curiosity101]

lol. Hey it could be any easy mistake to make. But yes, all water was treated before touching the filter.
And yes, previous to the move ammonia + nitrites were always 0.

 

[fatheadminnow]

How long was your tank established before you upgraded?

Autotrophic bacteria that colonize in our filters, also, over a period of time also start to colonize on the substrate and decor.

So, by changing the substrate, you are going to wipe out a little bit of the beneficial bacteria.

PLUS, the addition to new fish, is going to add to the amount of ammoina.

Also, you have a bigger tank now with the same size filter, so it is going to take longer for your filter to turn over the added water, so you are going to have to colonize more bacteria in your filter to take care of that problem, to process more ammonia quicker, due to the lack in turn over rate.

Also, Nitrite "eating" bacteria take longer to colonize, which is why there is still a spike and the ammonia is already under control.

Also, Bacteria in our filter MAY go dormant for a little while (less than a day) if there is a HUGE water change. Like in your case.

So, you just do what you have been doing, do water changes to keep the nitrite as close to zero as possible, and all should be fine in a week or so.

Also, the bacteria in our filters will die of at a rate of 3-10% a day, if there is no ammonia source present.

Hope this helps you out!

-FHM

 

[Curiosity101]

The tank had been established for just over a year.

I knew that bacteria on substrate would have an effect but didn't expect it to cause something like this.

And sorry...I suppose I typed that incorrectly, I upgraded my filter from Fluval 2+ to 3+...I moved across my old media, not the whole filter. Silly me!

I wanted my water to be perfectly and clearly stable for a week before buying anymore fish...stupid pushy parents. I said 'sure you can get more barbs but just give it a week yeah?', he says 'yes'.
Next day 'I bought 4 gold barbs....you said I could'
And here was me thinking it was kids with selective hearing...
*Sigh*

 

[fatheadminnow]

Just keep up on the water changes, and all should be fine soon.

Hey, at least you got some fish out of the deal...lol.

-FHM

 

[Curiosity101]

Hmm...cept I'm selling them on soonish.
I researched them - they grow to 8cm each...I currently have a group of 6. And they seriously do NOTHING BUT EAT.
I really feel for my other fish, they're getting diet portions whilst the gold barbs pork up!

Whether he likes them or not he shoulda researched them before buying...so they have to be re-homed *claps*
I plan on steering him towars galaxy rasboras or another really pretty rasbora....can't remember the name.

And he really wants a queen arabesque pleco...£30...I was like. So long as you do as I say, otherwise you may aswell flush the money straight down the toilet.
We've come to an agreement...I know best lol.

So now it's water change followed by water change followed by 'no don't feed them a pack of bloodworm' followed by water change.
Fantastic...
It's a good job I love my fish

 

[fatheadminnow]

Hmm...cept I'm selling them on soonish.
I researched them - they grow to 8cm each...I currently have a group of 6. And they seriously do NOTHING BUT EAT.
I really feel for my other fish, they're getting diet portions whilst the gold barbs pork up!

Whether he likes them or not he shoulda researched them before buying...so they have to be re-homed *claps*
I plan on steering him towars galaxy rasboras or another really pretty rasbora....can't remember the name.

And he really wants a queen arabesque pleco...£30...I was like. So long as you do as I say, otherwise you may aswell flush the money straight down the toilet.
We've come to an agreement...I know best lol.

So now it's water change followed by water change followed by 'no don't feed them a pack of bloodworm' followed by water change.
Fantastic...
It's a good job I love my fish

-FHM

 

[Curiosity101]

Hey...guess what... My Nitrites are finally going down! I tested yesterday and was like...hmm they look lower. But didn't want to get my hopes up.

Well anyways I tested again today. And we're definitely around the 0.8 mark now before water changes!
Finally...

Thanks anyways for your advice.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Glad you got it taken care of!

-FHM

 

[waterdrop]

Its great when you just give a problem some time and it goes away! enjoy!

~~waterdrop~~