NitrIte's up...

[Pysgodyn]

My tank's been cycled for 8 weeks, and ever since, it has had the following stats:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - at or below 10
pH - around 7.2

I did a regular water change (20%) the day before yesterday.

Yesterday, a guppy gave birth, and I've moved the fry to a separate tank, along with 20% of the water from the main tank - meaning, I did another water change early this morning. The only thing I've done differently is using a different make of dechlorinator.

I've tested the water and its:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 2.5
Nitrates - 10
pH - 7.2

The nitrite count hasn't been above 0 since I was cycling...what could be the cause of this, and what can I do about it?

 

[sarah-j]

ammonia and nitrites can increase when fry are born, it is most likely the cause. ammonia changes to nitrites and then nitrites change to nitrates. all that can be done is to do a small water change, remember to dechlorinate the new water and make sure it is not different in temp to the tank as this may cause the fish stress. Everytime new fish are added or fish are born it causes a mini cycle. good luck with water change, you could also add safe water to the tank which is a stress releivant.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Does the other tank have a filter and how long has it been set up for?

 

[Pysgodyn]

Yup - the other tank has a filter, containing sponges from the main tank

edit:spelling

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

You have nitrites because the tank is going through a mini cycle due to various reasons, nitrites only appear when a tank is having filter bacteria issues- how often do you clean the filter out and do you do it in water from water changes or plain tap water? do you clean it sparkling clean or as near as when you do?

 

[Pysgodyn]

I clean it in tank water. It's a Juwel Rio 125, and I rinse out the white (wooly) pad weekly (or thereabouts) - but not sparkly clean. Although I replaced it yesterday so I could put the old one in the fry tank. I've only rinsed out the other sponges once and that was yesterday...BINGO You reckon?!

I've done a 10 litre waterchange since the first post, and it's got better. But still not 0

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

The bacteria which help break down/convert your nitrites live in the filter sponge and i suspect if they were cleaned out too much or left to dry off or the sponge was taken away and fitted with a brand new one, this could all cause a mini cycle.

 

[Pysgodyn]

Aye...that makes sense. Harmful? Its currently between 0 and 0.25. Thanks Tokis x

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Thats ok, glad to help . The ideal stat you want is 0, your amount can be harmful so keep your eye out for any signs of distress in the fish like lack of activity/energy or hanging around the top or bottom of the tank alot etc, just keep doing those water changes and things will get better

 

[Pysgodyn]

Argh! The reading in the 5 gallon (UK) tank which contains the fry has between 0.25 and 0.5 nitrIte...I've done one water change there already today, and it's a little better than it was initially (0.50). I am very much aware that I need it to be 0, and that it's harmful if it isn't, but how often is it "safe" to do these water changes?...when is it safe to do the next (bearing in mind it's still 0.25-0.5)

 

[Pysgodyn]

Please?!

 

[Jen21]

I had the same problem with nitrites when I added new fish last week. Do daily water changes and the levels should go down. Good luck!