Whack Water Level!

[WittLace]

Ok so I am new at this. My boyfriend had a tank that he wanted to set up. We set it up about 3 weeks ago, used tetra start zyme and let it run for a week. The water cleared up (after being cloudy for a couple of days) and we have had fish in for about 10 days.

I have recently run across this site and done some reading. There is way more to this than I knew about. I have really gotten into it.

I did not know anything about cycling (and am still a little confused) or bacteria or testing the water etc...

I went out and purchased the API Freshwater Master Test Kit and tested the water yesterday.

pH: 7.6
ammonia: between 0 ppm and 0.25 ppm
nitrite: 5.0 ppm+ (maybe higher)
nitrate: between 10 ppm and 20 ppm

The nitrite level is so high. What can I do to fix the water issue?

I am also very confused about filtration... can anyone recommend anything or direct me to a place that kind of explains the options?

We have a 55 gallon with 2 kulhi loach, a featherfin catfish, 5 rosy barbs, 2 kribs and 2 severum (which are very small right now 1-2 inches).

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Tizer]

It sounds like you are "mid cycle" with your tank.

The beginners resource section of the forum will contain a wealth of knowledge for you.

The best ways to lower ammonia and nitrite are to do water changes. In your case , you need to replace at least 80% of your water as soon as possible to bring that nitrite reading down below 0.25ppm. (with an 80% change it will only come down to 1ppm) so another water change will be needed the next morning or evening to bring it lower.

Read the link below in my signature of how i cycled my tank with fish in it.

You got a bit of work ahead but as you are producing nitrites now, your cycle could be quite short. The products you have added might have kick started it for you.

I cant comment on your stocking, i've never owned severum.

However, im guessing you got the featherfin catfish because they are small and cute, be warned, they grow quite big, can get agressive and will quite happily eat smaller fish. NOM NOM NOM

 

[london_kev]

As you have fish now, it will take 2x longer. I think alot of people here will tell you to do daily water changes 50% just to keep your fish alive. It could take more them 30 days to cycle your tank...

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Ok so I am new at this. My boyfriend had a tank that he wanted to set up. We set it up about 3 weeks ago, used tetra start zyme and let it run for a week. The water cleared up (after being cloudy for a couple of days) and we have had fish in for about 10 days.

I have recently run across this site and done some reading. There is way more to this than I knew about. I have really gotten into it.

I did not know anything about cycling (and am still a little confused) or bacteria or testing the water etc...

I went out and purchased the API Freshwater Master Test Kit and tested the water yesterday.

pH: 7.6
ammonia: between 0 ppm and 0.25 ppm
nitrite: 5.0 ppm+ (maybe higher)
nitrate: between 10 ppm and 20 ppm

The nitrite level is so high. What can I do to fix the water issue?

I am also very confused about filtration... can anyone recommend anything or direct me to a place that kind of explains the options?

We have a 55 gallon with 2 kulhi loach, a featherfin catfish, 5 rosy barbs, 2 kribs and 2 severum (which are very small right now 1-2 inches).

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I don't understand your filter question? Do you have a filter on the tank right now? What one?

Here is a link to filter media information.


As far as your nitrites, you are going to have to do massive water changes right now. The nitrite level must be under 0.25ppm. As I understand it, nitrite works on fish similar to how carbon monoxide affects humans. It doesn't allow the fish to get oxygen through their gills and they suffocate. Anything higher than 0.25ppm is detrimental. I would suggest taking your water level down as low as possible - leaving just enough water for the fish to be able to swim (~80% or more) and then refill with temperature matched, dechlorinated water. This probably won't lower your nitrites sufficiently, so you may need to do a second one of a similar size immediately after wards. Don't worry about stressing your fish. The nitrites are far more stressful (and unhealthy) compared to a water change.

An 80% water change will theoretically bring the nitrites down to about 1ppm from 5ppm, so an additional 80% change would drop your level to about 0.20ppm... Then keep a close eye on the nitrite levels, and if it ever jumps over 0.25ppm, or even TO 0.25ppm do a water change large enough to drop it. This may take daily water changes for a while, but eventually you will be able to lower the frequency and size of the water changes until you won't need to do one for a full week.


Read up on the fish-in cycle in the Beginner Resource Center.

 

[WittLace]

We are currently using a Tetra Whisper EX70 with carbon filters. From what I have read this may not be the best route but this is what he already had. I have more reading to do. Thank for the help. This stuff is fascinating to me. I can't wait to learn more and get this under control.

 

[WittLace]

I did a 50% water change yesterday and my readings came out about the same. Today I did an 80% water change and levels are better. Ammonia is 0 and nitrites are down some.

 

[fluttermoth]

Well done; keep that up

 

[WittLace]

I just checked levels this morning. All are where they should be. Nitrites are down to almost zero... I felt like this would take longer.

 

[Tizer]

Its possible it will take a while, but like i said it did seem to point at being mid cycle so you could be lucky Keep testing and even when it reaches zero carry on doing so for another week just in case. I generally test my water once a week prior to a water change after that.