Nitrite!

[pinkdolphin_113]

i have just come across an nitrite build-up! i tested for it and the results were really red. it's awful!
my filter broke the other day and i went out n replaced it. its a quaflow3 which has two filter media compartments. i put a new sponge in the bottom bit and put an old one in the top so all the water flows through it. i know it's got to be something to do with this as i've had no problems yet. does anyone know what could be wrong?

and is there any way i can lower it quickly?

 

[WILDER]

When the tank broke did you manage to keep your benefical bacteria alive by keeping the filter running.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

When the tank broke did you manage to keep your benefical bacteria alive by keeping the filter running.

yeradid. i noticed there was something missing in the filter at about 10pm and biked down to get another the next morning.
it had been running , just not as efficiently as it usually should. i'll try and find out what the thing that was missing is called.

 

[WILDER]

If you lost all the beneifcal bacteria in your sponges the tank will by cycling again.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

yerakno but i have some, in my eyes, pretty expensive fish and i don't want to lose them so is there anything i can do to speed it up or lower the nitrite level? by like diluting it or something?
the re-cycle is the first thing i thought of. i was devastated

 

[WILDER]

Could get some filter start not.
I would preform a water change if the nitrite off the chart.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

Could get some filter start not.
I would preform a water change if the nitrite off the chart.

how much does that cost?
i did 2 20% water changes within an hour and it didn't change the red slightly. i figured there was nothing else i could do.
i'm currently at my girlfriends house so theres nothing i can do at the moment. how long will the cycle last dya reckon? my fish won't survive it will they?

 

[WILDER]

I would increase aeration in a cycling tank.
You can use salt but it depends on which fish you keep, as scaless fish don't tolerate salt.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

I would increase aeration in a cycling tank.
You can use salt but it depends on which fish you keep, as scaless fish don't tolerate salt.

thats what i thought too, but i have 3 pictus cats and thought their skin would peel off or something. i suppose i'll just have to wait until tomorrow then.

i'll pop into my lfs on the way home after college and see if he has anything to offer.

 

[WILDER]

Ok then no salt to the tank.
Lfs will point you in the right direction.
Do you know any friends with matured tanks, as they could give you a filter sponge.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

not really lol that was also an idea but all my friends hate fish.
i don't see why it should have made a difference though because there is a fully mature filter sponge in the filter anyway, thanks for ya help

 

[WILDER]

Is the tank bigger in gallons.
Your tank could of gone into a mini cycle.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

whats a mini cycle? will it kill them?