High Nitrite - Help

[ez_101]

Hi all,
Really need some help, a few days ago I tested my tank, and everything was fine apart from nitrite being high 2ppm.

I have since been doing daily water changes of around 30-50%.

Today it has come down but only to 1ppm?! I dont know what to do!?

I what to fix this quickly as I do not want to harm the fish!

Today's results: ph 7.6, ammonia 0ppm, nitrate 5ppm, nitrite 1ppm

 

[electropunk06]

Hi doing a 50% water change will not get rid of your nitrite readings but will half them. I would suggest a few more large water changes.
You are in a mini cycle and shouldnt last more that a few days so keep up the hard work
Have you added anything to your tank recently that could have added to your bio load?

 

[ez_101]

Ok thanks I will up it to say maybe 70%?!

I have added a new plant and terracotta pot in the last week.

After my water change today I added api aquarium salt to help protect the gills etc...

Oh I also removed one if the carbon sacks today from my filter as I have read you don't need them if using de chlorinator?!

I will be upgrading my tank v. Soon but iv not even got water in the new one yet so going to be a while before I can move the fish!

 

[electropunk06]

Im guessing you going to move the filter across to the new tank to avoid cycling it.

The carbon will have has some beneficial bacteria in it but dont think it would have been to much.

 

[ez_101]

Also when my air pump is on the bubbles at the surface stay for a little while?!

Im guessing you going to move the filter across to the new tank to avoid cycling it.

The carbon will have has some beneficial bacteria in it but dont think it would have been to much.

No it a brand new internal filter, so going to be doing a fresh new cycle but maybe use some of my sponge on new filter?!

 

[electropunk06]

If you arent keeping your other tank going you could move all the media across and you would be sorted.

Are the bubbles staying longer than they would in tap water?
What fish do you have?

 

[ez_101]

If you arent keeping your other tank going you could move all the media across and you would be sorted.

Are the bubbles staying longer than they would in tap water?
What fish do you have?

This filter is built into the hood my new one isn't.

Yes there are constant bubbles on the surface when air pump is on but not when it's off?!! I would say they last longer than tap water bubbles!

5 cardinal tetras
6 baby german blue rams just under an inch at the mo.
1blue tailed plec

 

[ez_101]

Aside from larger water changes should I be doing anything different/extra?

Really worried about this nitrite level

 

[twodoctors]

I don't think so. I would keep changing the water until nitrite is lower than 0.25ppm. Keeping the temperature cool may also help as it means more O2 is dissolved and also slows down the fishes metabolism a bit. Finally nitrite causes methaemoglobinaemia, which in human is treated with O2, or reducing agent such as methylene blue. Not sure about fishes to be honest.

Adrian

 

[Tizer]

You probably have a very thin amount of surface oil which stops the bubbles from popping quickly, its nothing to worry about. The oil comes from your hands/arms whenever you put them into the tank.

Water changes will lower the nitrite, just so as much as you need to get it down to 0.25.

 

[ez_101]

Any way of getting rid of this oil?

My Temp is at 28.5 - 29c due to my rams, should i notch it down 1 or 2 degrees?

can you or should you only do one water change every 24 hours? or can they be more frequest, say every 12?

 

[Tizer]

You can do them as often as you can be bothered to. But i would let your filter pass through the volume of water in your tank at least once before you test it and do it again.

I recall someone saying they used kitchen roll to get rid of the oil once, just by placing it flat on the surface of the water then binning it. You could use a bucket to get the water out and just submerge it flat so all the surface water runs in first. Just use common sense on that one really mate

Why has the water temp question cropped up? What have you read? Dont know what Rams you have but my Bolivians are happy on 26.

 

[ez_101]

Thank you mate, i will take on board your advice!

Erm.. twodoctors said lower the Temp so the O2 can dissolve?!

I have german blue rams