Nitrite.....

[goldie]

I got a new tank last Saterday, I have gone from a 150 lt to a 190 lt, so about another 8 gallons.
We kept all the old tank water and sponges, but changed the gravel ( I wanted small gravel) We mixed quite a lot of the old gravel in, but I knew to expect a nitrite blip.....It has started today....I have done a water change, aprox one third.
How long before my tank will cycle fully?? If is rises slightly again tomorrow, should I do another water change, or leave it another day??

 

[BettaMomma]

Are your fish in the tank right now?

 

[WILDER]

It should only be a mini cycle so it won't be long just keep an eye on the ommonia and nitrite reading.

 

[kgrehm]

Did you transfer any of the water to the newer tank? How much? It is good that you transfered some of the gravel. It may take a few days, to even a week. If there are no fish in there, I would let it be for awhile with the filters running and everything like normal.

 

[goldie]

I transfered all the water plus a top up of 8 gallons as the new tank is bigger. I had to transfer all the fish as well......They all seem OK at the moment, but I am keeping a close eye on them all.

 

[rdd1952]

Transfering water from one tank to another really doesn't do any good as far as cycling is concerned. All the beneficial bacteria is either attached to the filter media, plants, decorations, glass or in the gravel. Only a very minute amount of bacteria is present in the water. You are better off putting fresh, deshlorinated water into the new tank and just moving as much stuff from the old tank as possible. Since you moved some of the gravel and I assumeeverything else, the spike shouldn't take long. Just test the water daily and do a 10 to 20 percent water change daily until the nitrite goes back to zero.

 

[goldie]

Just done another Nitrite test and it has gone down to normal