Nitrite Spikes From Mature Filter (urgent, Fish In Tank!)

[Assaye]

I set my new 4.5 gallon betta tank up with the mature filter from the 3 gallon QT. Was showing ammonia = 0 and nitrite = 0 in QT tank and had previously been used for old betta before he was moved to community tank.

Now, with the new boy, ammonia = 0 and the morning after a water change, showing nitrite = 1 ppm!

This doesn't make much sense to me, as surely ammonia would be the first thing to show??

Any ideas what is going on? Not sure what to do with the new boy. Community has a betta in it and QT now has young RTBS (he's being moved as soon as my main tank is cycled, don't worry). The QT has the new filter I bought to go with the new betta tank, but despite being uncycled (other than with copious use of bottled bacteria and mature filter gunk), ammonia = 0 and nitrite = 0.

I am so confused, and wondering if anyone has any genius ideas to keep my little man happy?

How do people manage to have bettas in bowls if toxins show up strongly after just a few hours?

 

[Assaye]

Nitrite has now spiked to 1 ppm on my 60 litre tank! It was showing 0-0 yesterday. I have no idea what is going on. This tank has been stable for a while now.

 

[Tolak]

First check your tap water for nitrite, this is found at times in tap water. I've found that the bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate are more fragile than the ones that convert ammonia to nitrite. This may be what you are seeing if the cycled media has been without a food source.

What are you using to treat your replacement water, and how much? While water suppliers provide a very safe product for humans, at times they will increase disinfectants (chlorine, chloramine) to maintain this level of safety. This is great for our health, not so for fish. I often use double or more the suggested dosage of dechlorinator, having a pretty good idea what my water supplier does when & why. This may be another thing to consider, disinfectant damage to the media.

Review water change and other maintenance procedures, making sure nobody has used any of your gear for other household uses.

 

[Assaye]

First check your tap water for nitrite, this is found at times in tap water. I've found that the bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate are more fragile than the ones that convert ammonia to nitrite. This may be what you are seeing if the cycled media has been without a food source.

What are you using to treat your replacement water, and how much? While water suppliers provide a very safe product for humans, at times they will increase disinfectants (chlorine, chloramine) to maintain this level of safety. This is great for our health, not so for fish. I often use double or more the suggested dosage of dechlorinator, having a pretty good idea what my water supplier does when & why. This may be another thing to consider, disinfectant damage to the media.

Review water change and other maintenance procedures, making sure nobody has used any of your gear for other household uses.

Thanks for the reply.

Checked tap water for nitrite (was the first thing I did when I saw both tanks spiking after a water change) and it's 0.

I'm using APIs Stress Coat and Tetra Aqua Safe to condition the water, and using more than the suggested dosage.

There have been some temperature fluctuations in the tank as one of my heaters broke and I'm looking for a suitable replacement. The more I think aout it, the more I wonder if this could have been the cause? Plus the little filter in my 4.5 gallon tank as a bit clogged and not churning enough water through. Not sure what I can do about the temperature until I get a new heater, but I'm doing my best to keep everyone cosy and happy. The filter has had a gentle clean in aquarium water and is back in action, so we'll see if that helps.

 

[loraxchick]

just keep testing and doing water changes...the filter will catch up soon enough.
good luck