Nitrite spike, when will it be safe?

[Fish_Mike]

PLEASE DO READ MY LETTER EVEN THOUGH IT IS QUITE LONG, I'D LIKE TO GET ANSWERS


I recently set up a 20-gallon tank for (kind of) an emergency. But, it was a last second choice and the aquarium never really had a chance to cycle, at all. However after the emergency, everything was alright, and i decided to make it into a permenent tank, and put in 2 2-inch angels and 10 black neon tetras. However, since it did not have a chance to cycle, last night they all experienced a nitrite spike and barely survived. (pretty sure it was a nitrite spike, they seemed to be developing ich and by the end of the day where gasping for breath) I transferred them into a bucket and filled it with water from a Blackbelt cichlid tank. No Filter, and amazingly, they survived. They've been in there now for quite a few hours 18+ and want to know if i can put them back, or if i should add a used filter to the [square] bucket and let them pass out the cycling there.

 

[WILDER]

Angel really need to be in a 30gal tank, whitespot is stress due to the cycling, you will have to medicate, i would do a water change and put them back in the tank, as soon the bucket will get polluted.

 

[playfulalliecat]

You say you set it up as an emergency.......so you have another established running tank?

If so, then I would take some of the filter media from the established tank and put it in the filter for the 20. This will jumpstart a cycle and with the bacteria in the media you shouldn't have any problems.

Although now you'll need to treat for whitespot as well.

Allie

 

[WILDER]

Yes i agree you can take a mature sponge from the other tank if i has cycled, and has no desease in it.

 

[Fish_Mike]

Ok, thanks for the info, now about the 30 gallon tank, i've asked so many people and they said that a pair of angels is fine in a 20. Now yes, i do have another aquraium, however the filter systems are different, and the sponges none alike.

About the water change, i heard that by doing so you'll only prolong the cycling cycle.

 

[Fish_Mike]

Oh, by the way, i added cycle, the chemical that supposedly does help jumpstart te bacterial colonies, poured it over the bio-max like the clerk suggested. And, i did medicate, and removed the carbon, but i read that medication increases ammonia during the cycling (with fish).

 

[WILDER]

Just keep an eye on water stats, if you do have to do a water change just replace the right amount of med back to the amount of water removed, only use cycle after you have finnished the med, water change add carbon back then add cycle to jump start the bacteria colony again, good luck.