A bit of nitrite, should I do anything different?

[Chris1212]

20g, been running for about 8 weeks now. 5 fish (Platies and one bolivian) and 3 amano. Only last week (a day before we added the bolivian and the 4th platy) I finally showed nitrite on the API master test - .25, maybe a bit darker but not .5 ppm. Consistently 0ppm ammonia.

I do weekly water changes and treat the new water with Prime. For relatively a little bit if nitrite, should I be doing anything else? Add Prime to the tank even when not doing water changes? Add a bit of aquarium salt?

Thanks

 

[AilyNC]

If ammonia, nitrite above 0 do a big water change.

 

[Essjay]

Prime will detoxify nitrite for around 24 hours, so if the nitrite level drops to zero within that time it's OK.

Yes, salt does help mitigate the effects of nitrite. There is a calculation in this thread to work out how much

Rescuing A Fish In Cycle Gone Wild - Part Il

Part II SO YOU STILL WANT TO KEEP CYCLING WITH FISH? If you are determined to ignore the above advice in Part I and still think you want to proceed with a fish in cycle, then you need to be aware of the information presented below. SOME IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT AMMONIA Ammonia in water exists...

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Once the level drops back to zero, water changes will remove the salt.

 

[Chris1212]

50% water change didn't bring down the nitrite. Still .25ish. Ammonia is zero. Nitrates are zero (5ppm in tap).

So my takeaway is hopefully the bacteria that eats nitrite will grow soon and then I should expect to see nitrates go up.

All pics: left tubes are tank, right tubes are tap

 

[Essjay]

The fact that your tap water nitrite is definitely zero means the tester is working properly. It's now just a waiting game. It always takes longer for the nitrite eaters to grow than the ammonia eaters.
All you can do is make sure you do the water changes to keep the fish safe until you have zero nitrite.

 

[Chris1212]

Right, thanks. Will test daily and continue with water changes 1-2 times a week unless nitrites spike higher than .25-.5.

I also have to be disciplined more about feeding them once a day. I haven't fed them today and all five seem to be lining up at the front of the tank giving me the stinkeye.