Nitrites High What Did I Do Wrong

[Don Trinko]

29 gal discus tank with 4 small (2.5")discus. (bigger tank as they grow). I vacumn the sand every 2 or 3 days and get very little dirbus. I feed them 3 times a day. 1=chichlid flakes,2= blood worms, 3= color bits.
My nitrites tested high(5) nitrates (20) Amonia(0)PH(7.5) DH(7) . Filter is biowheel 150. Several days ago I rinced the filter in cold tap water. I did not touch the biowheel. Today I added filter floss because the tank was not as clear as I like. My tap water has 0 nitrites and nitrates. My other tanks test fine.
I did a partial water change and I am running an extra filter with Nitrazorb in it. Anything else I should do? What did I do wrong? Thanks; Don T.

 

[WILDER]

Only vacum once a week, you are removing to much beneifical bacteria from the substrate, this is why you have a nitrite reading.

 

[Don Trinko]

Thanks; I guess I was about to kill my Discus with kindness! Thanks; Don T.

 

[newtankgirl]

Did you rinse filter in tap water that had been de-chlorinated? If not the chlorine in Un-treated tap water will kill the filter bacteria.
Best to rinde through in tank water during water change.

 

[WILDER]

Dosn't sound like he's touched the sponges to me as he has no ammonia reading, and he has a nitrate reading.

 

[newtankgirl]

Yeah true - didnt see ammonia reading Wilder not wanting to hijack thread but yuo seem to be the person to ask re sick fishies - Any experience with parrot fish?
can you read my parrot fish thread and see if you can help? would appreciate

 

[WILDER]

No nothing on parrot fish but I will take a look for you.

 

[Don Trinko]

I did not otuch the biowheel but I rinsed the blue filter material in tap water. I also have a felt addition on the blue filter material. I have other tanks and have cleaned the filters the same way with no problem. This tank was relatively new. It had waterin it for 1 month and guppy's(test fish) for 3 weeks. The Nitites were =0 when I put the Discus in. The discus have been in for 10 days. Don T.

 

[WILDER]

Where the thread not sure what parrots come under.

 

[rdd1952]

29 gal discus tank with 4 small (2.5")discus. (bigger tank as they grow). I vacumn the sand every 2 or 3 days and get very little dirbus. I feed them 3 times a day. 1=chichlid flakes,2= blood worms, 3= color bits.
My nitrites tested high(5) nitrates (20) Amonia(0)PH(7.5) DH(7) . Filter is biowheel 150. Several days ago I rinced the filter in cold tap water. I did not touch the biowheel. Today I added filter floss because the tank was not as clear as I like. My tap water has 0 nitrites and nitrates. My other tanks test fine.
I did a partial water change and I am running an extra filter with Nitrazorb in it. Anything else I should do? What did I do wrong? Thanks; Don T.

I'm definitely no expert on discus but I think the need extremely good water parameters. You need to do water changes 2 or 3 times a day to get the nitrite down to 0. If you rinsed the sponge part of your filter in tap water, you maost likely did kill off some of the bacteria but it shouldn't have been enough to matter. It may be that you're feeding too much. Excess food also becomes ammonia and thus nitrite. How long has the tank been running?

Only vacum once a week, you are removing to much beneifical bacteria from the substrate, this is why you have a nitrite reading.

I hate to disagree but I don't think there is enough beneficail bacteria in the substrate to matter. I think people still think of the substrate as a bacteria location but I think that went out with UG filters. There is no (or very little) water circulation through the substrate so there will be very little bacteria as there isn't enough food (ammonia, nitrite) getting to them.

Yeah true - didnt see ammonia reading

There isn't any ammonia but there is nitrIte at 5 ppm - extremely high. I would think that was way to high for discus.

Also, your pH at 7.5 is on the very high end for discus. they prefer acidic water in the mid to low 6s.

 

[Don Trinko]

nitrite is now =2. Tank has had test fish (guppy's) in it for 3 wks before Discus. Guppy's have been removed. I have an extra filter with Nitrazorb running. Hopefully Nitrites will be lower in the morning. If not I'll head for the loca pet store and do another water change. Don T.

 

[rdd1952]

If not I'll head for the loca pet store and do another water change. Don T.

There's nothing I am aware of that you can buy to lower nitrite. I think Zeolite is supposed to remove ammonia but you don't want that as your tank will never cycle. Just be careful with the discus. I know they're not cheap and as I said, need great water conditions.

From Cian McLiam's TFF profile on discus:

"Care: Moderate, easy when acclimatised and Discus specific basic care is strictly observed. Not forgiving of mistakes with water parameters, therefore not a beginners fish. Prone to bacterial build up in water, and Hole in the Head disease (Hexamatia). Both can be avoided largely through attentive care of the water."

 

[Don Trinko]

Nitrite is =2 this morning. a book I have say's that nitrite poisoning starts at 10. I am going to the local tfs to see what they have and I will probably do another partial water change later today. thanks; Don T.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

nitrite is now =2. Tank has had test fish (guppy's) in it for 3 wks before Discus. Guppy's have been removed. I have an extra filter with Nitrazorb running. Hopefully Nitrites will be lower in the morning. If not I'll head for the loca pet store and do another water change. Don T.

i'm sorry to say but i don't think your tank is ready for discus.

from the sound of the comment above you cycled the tank with guppies for 3 weeks before adding your discus. it seems your tank is not yete even fully cycled, discus like a mature tank over 6 months old as they are extrmley sensitive to water quality. I would advise returning them to the store and waiting for a few months before you get some more.

 

[GrantyBoy]

think Miss Wiggle is on the money.

You cycled your tank with a few guppies which are a small fish and won't cause any major bioload. Now you have added 4 discus which will cause a significant increase on the bioload.

These high readings you are talking about, I would say your tank is trying to adjust to the increased bioload but this will take some time.
Keep up with your water changes but don't hover the gravel. Only clean the gravel once a week. Also look into getting a bottle of good filter bacteria from your LFS to help speed things up