What`s A Dangerous Level Of Nirtites?

[maisy12345]

Hi ,my tank has started to cycle ,110l,but the nitrites are highering very quickly[fish in cycle].This morning at 10am i did an 80 percent water change as level was at 0.25 now 5 hrs later it`s at 1.0again ,also my nitrates are also high,this has been going on for a couple of days ,are these levels toxic to my fish or can i leave more than a few hours between water changes.Also how long will these levels last?

 

[Harlequins]

Any reading over zero for ammonia & nitrite is dangerous to fish,do another large w/c to bring it down.

What stocking have you got?

 

[scotty]

me personally would continue with large waterchanges,can you not take the fish back to the shop and do a fishless cycle?

cheers

scott

 

[maisy12345]

Hi ,gouramis, pitbull plecos ,shrimp
,corries ,glowlight tetra and,bloodfin tetra ,my ammonia is 0,shop won`t accept them back

 

[Harlequins]

You may end up doing back to back w/c to bring it right down,the lower you keep it the easier it will be to control it,keep feeding to a bare minimum,missing days if you have to,and keep the substrate clean of any uneaten food.

Dont add anymore fish until the filter is cycled.

 

[maisy12345]

Hi ,thanks for your replies,i`ve used a hose pipe to get the water out ,but i`m worried about using it to fill it up as there`s the temp and the dechlorinator to think about,any ideas,please?

 

[Harlequins]

How big is your tank?

I always use buckets to add water back in.

 

[Tizer]

Just carry on doing the water changes in the way you are happy with.

Ignore Nitrates, they dont matter at thsi stage.

Keep the Nitrites below 0.25 with water changes.

Simples

 

[maisy12345]

Hi ,thanks my tank is 110l.

 

[Harlequins]

Agree with Tizer,just carry on with your usual w/c method

 

[maisy12345]

Will do ,beginning to hate water changes.

 

[Caprichoso]

Hi ,thanks for your replies,i`ve used a hose pipe to get the water out ,but i`m worried about using it to fill it up as there`s the temp and the dechlorinator to think about,any ideas,please?

Add the de-chlorinator to the tank first, dosing for the gallonage of the entire tank, not just the water you're putting in. As long as the temperature is close to the same as your tank, it will be totally ok. I just compare the temp with my hand.

 

[maisy12345]

Hi ,won`t it hurt the fish,swimming in the remaining water if i add all the dechlorinator in one go?

And also do you use hot water from tap ?

 

[Caprichoso]

Hi ,won`t it hurt the fish,swimming in the remaining water if i add all the dechlorinator in one go?

And also do you use hot water from tap ?

This is what I do and have done for years with no issues. I also use hot water from the tap to get the right temperature. I have never had an issue but I don't know for certain whether very old pipes could be a problem. I have heard that as long as you let the hot water run for a minute to flush out the pipes that it's fine. Again, I don't know for sure. My house was built in 1955 so that's how old my pipes are.

 

[coldcazzie]

Hi ,won`t it hurt the fish,swimming in the remaining water if i add all the dechlorinator in one go?

No

And also do you use hot water from tap ?

Yes. Much easier if you have a mixer tap. Just adjust temp coming out of hose to match your tank temp near enough. If you don't, just use cold but trickle it in, and as soon as your heater is underwater turn it on to start heating as necessary.

And please, please, please, PLEASE Maisy, stop adding fish! Don't add any more fish until you've finished your cycle!