Huge nitrite spike in betta/ shrimp tank

[Willbacon23]

Yesterday I swapped my community tank with my betta tank due to a need for larger space. Yesterday my betta shrimp tank seemed fine however this morning I saw lots of shrinks near the surface and around the filter. I decided to move the shrimp to my community tank due to fear the betta was attacking them. However after moving them I found a dead cherry shrimp on the bottom of the gravel. I removed it and took ammonia and parameter readings in which my ammonia was still around 0ppm but my nitrite was all the way up at 3! I immediately did a 60% water change however am worried about what the cause of this nitrite spike is. Is there a chance the stress of the move caused the cherry shrimo
To die which in turn led to the large nitrite spike?

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Any detectable ammonia at all is extremely toxic to fish. Nitrite is almost as bad. A few questions: How big is this tank? What was in it that swapped with the betta? Was it cycled?

You did the right thing with the water change. It sounds like either the tank wasn't cycled, or you lost your good bacteria somehow.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Were both tanks cycled? Did you do anything to the filter? Normally, nitrites only show during cycling. Perhaps you lost your cycle.

 

[Willbacon23]

Any detectable ammonia at all is extremely toxic to fish. Nitrite is almost as bad. A few questions: How big is this tank? What was in it that swapped with the betta? Was it cycled?

You did the right thing with the water change. It sounds like either the tank wasn't cycled, or you lost your good bacteria somehow.

It’s an 18 gallon long, I moved over all decorations and filter, no change to filter media, the filter was put in the other tank within 10 minutes of change I just don’t understand what’s happened

 

[Willbacon23]

Were both tanks cycled? Did you do anything to the filter? Normally, nitrites only show during cycling. Perhaps you lost your cycle.

Both tanks have been cycled, the tank in which the betta has moved into has been cycled for around 4 months, the filters output is buffered now but that can’t affeft the actual workings surely

 

[FishGuest5123]

Both tanks have been cycled, the tank in which the betta has moved into has been cycled for around 4 months, the filters output is buffered now but that can’t affeft the actual workings surely

No, it shouldn’t affect it. For some reason, it sounds like your tank has gone into a mini cycle. Do water changes as needed until it catches back up.

 

[Willbacon23]

No, it shouldn’t affect it. For some reason, it sounds like your tank has gone into a mini cycle. Do water changes as needed until it catches back up.

That’s really annoying, I ll suspend feeding maybe and get another bottle of tetra safe start

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I agree. Do large water changes until that nitrite goes down.

Are you sure you completely cycled your tank?

 

[Willbacon23]

I agree. Do large water changes until that nitrite goes down.

Are you sure you completely cycled your tank?

Yes 100% it had been cycled with no nitrites or ammonia for 3 weeks

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Yes 100% it had been cycled with no nitrites or ammonia for 3 weeks

Sometimes it will just have a big spike. Did you add anything to the tank recently?

 

[Willbacon23]

Sometimes it will just have a big spike. Did you add anything to the tank recently?

I’ve taken out shrimp that’s the only change

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Is it possible you missed a dead critter? That can cause an ammonia spike, though IME not usually in a tank that large.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Sometimes it will just have a big spike. Did you add anything to the tank recently?

It shouldn’t ever have a big spike. There has to be a cause. It doesn’t just happen.

 

[Willbacon23]

Is it possible you missed a dead critter? That can cause an ammonia spike, though IME not usually in a tank that large.

I think maybe I left the dead shrimp in maybe for too long