Water Stats

[arielsworld17974]

Just tested my water and this is what it reads:
Ph: 7.6
ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 2.0 to 5.0

Why is my.nitrite so high?? Is this bad?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Are you cycling this tank or did you, perhaps, mix up nitrAte and nitrIte

 

[Byron]

Just tested my water and this is what it reads:
Ph: 7.6
ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 2.0 to 5.0

Why is my.nitrite so high?? Is this bad?

 
You are certain you didn't reverse nitrite and nitrate?  If not, was the test correctly done?  Is this a new tank, in the initial cycle?
 
If fish are in this tank, and the nitrite is really 2ppm or higher, they will be dead very soon.  Nitrite at 0.5 causes issues for fish.
 
Byron.
 
Edit.  I see TTA posted simultaneously, we're on the same page.

 

[arielsworld17974]

I can try testing NITRITE again. I don't think I got them reversed. But I might have done the test wrong. Let me go do it.
It's not a very new tank. Couple months old. All the fish are doing awesome.
Nope its still the same ): am I doing something wrong?

 

[LyraGuppi]

Give the test bottle a REALLY big shake, then try it again. Could the test be outdated?

 

[arielsworld17974]

Says it expires in 2020. I'll shake it really good.
After shaking it it looks like this still.
Looks more like 2.0 or .5

 

[Byron]

If nitrite really is that high, you would see signs of it in the fish.  They would be respirating very hard, likely near the surface, possibly even gasping.  Gills would be brownish/red [nitrite affects the blood and it becomes brownish], gill covers likely flared open.  Fish would be lethargic, then death follows very quickly.  If any of these signs are present, do a major water change [test the tap water for nitrite, it can happen, though not likely].
 
If the fish do not show any of these signs, and appear normal, I would just leave things alone and discount the test completely.
 
Make sure you do not add more drops than what the test instructs; when the bottle is upside down, it can be tricky to keep the drops even.
 
Have you tested for nitrite previously, and was it zero then, with this same bottle of regent?
 
Byron.

 

[arielsworld17974]

Well I went ahead and took a sample into my lfs. They recommend aquarium salt. Half of what is recommended on the package and that it is simply Because I added a couole.new fish. Will be adding this salt and keeping everyone updated. The test was right.
Oh yeah and to keep.adding stability

 

[b3cca]

Why buy and add salt when you can simply do a few large partial water changes to lower the Nitrites naturally?
Even if it is a false reading a large water change will not harm anything

 

[arielsworld17974]

I had already done one. ): everything seems fine.

 

[Akasha72]

have you cleaned you filter recently? Perhaps if you have you were a little over zealous and over cleaned a little? (we've all done it and so nothing to be ashamed of)
 
It's all I can think of if this is an established tank but I see there are no Nitrates so I'm guessing this isn't an established tank as Nitrates would be present if it were. It looks like you are in a cycling process and lots and lots of water changes are on the cards for the next few weeks

  

 

[arielsworld17974]

I did replace the carbon filters. Did one then a week later did the other one. I use stability everyday still though. I honestly don't think I clean it enough. Maybe that's it?? All my fish seem to be perfect still though. Which is confusing.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Are those carbon sponge or the carbon floss cartridges? Here is my spiel regarding carbon floss, and anyone else can feel free to disagree. Do not use carbon floss cartridges in your filter unless you specifically need to filter medicines out of your tank water. The floss will saturate and need replacing pretty quickly, and in the meantime, helpful bacteria has most likely grown in the floss material. So when you replace, you are damaging the colonies. If I had to guess I would say that is what caused your nitrite spike.
 
I recommend buying a filter sponge and put it in the space taken up by the floss.
 
Just curious - what is 'stability'?

 

[Akasha72]

agreed Gvillguy. I've never used carbon - not even to get rid of meds, I just do extra water changes. It could be exactly what Gvilleguy said Ariel. If you've changed one recently you've thrown away a lot of bacteria. As Gvilleguy suggested, replacing carbon sponges for ordinary is the way to go and only replace them if they are falling to bits
 
 
I have some fine filter wool in my filter - it's purely there to polish my water - but I noticed that after I changed it out for a clean on I'd get a small ammonia reading for a few days. It soon became clear just how much bacteria was living even in the polishing wool. Now, when it needs changing, I take the old piece and cram it in someone amongst the other media - where ever it will fit - and take out the one I crammed in before so I'm just rotating it. It seems to help 

 

[arielsworld17974]

Even though there's a second black sponge in front of it that grows good bacteria?? I never change those. just the filter that Catches all the yucky stuff. The filters are so confusing.

And stability is thus stuff you put in your tank that helps rapidly grow good bacteria. you do a capful for every 20 gallons everyday. Especially if it's a newer tank or if you add new fish. I had screwed up when I first got my tank and put fish in just 24 hours after cycling. And it sent it into a horrible Downward spiral. This stuff cleared it up in just a couple days. I always use it keeps my tank looking gorgeous.