I'm New At Fishkeeping. I Just Need Some Advice On My New Guppies&

[HarpyFishLover]

Just tested my water. Here are the results:

Nitrate: 10 ppm

Nitrite: 2.0 ppm

GH: 200 ppm

Chlorine: 0 ppm

KH: 120 ppm

pH: 7.1

Do I need to worry about the high nitrite? And if so how should I take care of it?

 

[Jeremy180]

The main way nitrite poisons fish is by bonding with their red blood cells, thus preventing oxygen uptake
Adding a very small amount of salt (1/16 teaspooon is enough for an 15 gallon tank, although you could probably go as high as 1/8 teaspoon per 5 gallons without stressing the fish fron too much salt) helps to prevent the nitrite from bonding with the red blood cells, greatly reducing nitrite toxicity
And yes, table salt will be okay, at least in such small amounts. 
 
 
In case you haven't found it yet, here's an article with more info on cycling with fish in the tank
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/433778-rescuing-a-fish-in-cycle-gone-wild-part-il/

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Oh good, I can still save my fishies! Thanks so much; I'll be adding salt ASAP!

BTW, the smallest measuring spoon we have is 1/4 of a teaspoon. Is that good for my 10 gallon tank?

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Thanks for the article. Just used the link to the calc, and it turns out I have 0.0018 NH3. Do I need to do anything about that, or is that OK, because 0.25 is the TA?

 

[HarpyFishLover]

I just sat near my tank and watched my smaller fish, Max. If you look at him long enough, you will start to see, every minute he will be swimming, then all of a sudden he'll seemingly lock up in a position and start shaking. Something tells me this is not normal. What might it be?

 

[HarpyFishLover]

So my fish started gasping near the surface... I added 1/8 of a teaspoon of salt to my tank... was that the right thing to do?

 

[Jeremy180]

I'd change the water, abou 7 or 8 gallons of it.
Terribly sorry to be late, I hope your fish make it.

 

[HarpyFishLover]

To my great relief, the salt treatment worked! Nitrite is now at .2! I'm sooooooooo relieved; I wasn't sure my fishes were going to make it
I forgot, here are the results of my last test (a few minutes ago):

Nitrate: 15 ppm

Nitrite: .2 ppm

GH: 200 ppm

Chlorine: 0 ppm

KH: 180 ppm

pH: 7.1

 

[Jeremy180]

Salt does not reduce nitrite numbers in the aquarium, only water changes and good bacteria can do that. Salt just makes what's already in the tank less toxic.
Judging by the fact that your nitrites are going down, and your nitrates are going up, I'd say your tank is starting to cycle.
However, it will probably be a few weeks yet before cycling is complete.
BTW, what type of filter do you have?

 

[HarpyFishLover]

To answer your question, my filter is a Penguin Power Filter...

I did "the works" on testing. Here are the results:

Nitrate: .15 ppm

Nitrite: 0 ppm

GH: 200 ppm

Chlorine: 0 ppm

KH: 130 ppm

pH: 7.1

TA (total ammonia): 0

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

I assume you're still using the test strips to test your water, those results you got could very well be inaccurate. As mentioned before, invest in liquid test kits, they are far more accurate and last in the long run. A little more time consuming, but it's very easy and helps a lot. 
 
It's good to hear that your tank is cycling, guppies are hardy fish, and will most likely survive in the cycling process, however, survival is not the only thing you want, you want your fish to thrive. They may become ill or possibly die, but from what you described, it just sounds like the ammonia and nitrite are taking a toll on them. As Jermey had said, the nitrites bond to their blood cells, making it difficult to intake oxygen,that is why you see your fish gasp for air. 
 
You could always buy a bottle of bacteria to boost the cycle. Most pet shops and fish shops carry bottled bacteria to add to your tank. It's just a way to introduce more bacteria, but I on't think you'll need this. I would say just let your cycle continue, invest in liquid test solutions so you can keep track of the nitrification process. 

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Oh yes, and we just ordered parts for my quarantine tank! (I'm using my old 3 gal from about 7 years ago) I'm really excited as it's going in my room... once that has cycled for a week I think I'll be ready to get my tetras. Seeing as putting in 2 guppies made my ammonia out of whack, I'm going to only put in 2 tetras at a time. Oh, that reminds me, when should I get a snail or pleco?

 

[Jeremy180]

While this is good news, I feel the need to remind you that you will need a zero reading for ammonia and nitrite for at least two weeks before your tank would be considered fully cycled and ready for more fish.
The bacteria colonies in Newly cycled tanks can be unstable, and ammonia/nitrite spikes are fairly common.
Also as noted by rainbowbacon, the cheap test strips are easily contaminated and quickly expire, and once that happens they shouldn't be relied on for more than the roughest guess.
For example, unless ther are buffers like shells or wood in the tank, your hardness shouldn't vary much, if at all, and a consistent hardness reading is a good indicator of a good test kit. 

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Every time I've tested I've gotten a 200 GH reading. Only reason why I didn't get the full liquid test kit when I bought the ammonia kit is that it is $30 and I'm out of money... lol...

 

[Jeremy180]

Well, the readings you've been getting are about what I'd expect for a cycling tank.
Generally when the test strips go bad, they'll give reading that are, "odd" for lack of a better term.
And I certainly know the feeling of being short on cash, I frequently have that problem myself...

One word of caution on getting tankmates for your guppies, though.
Guppies are not able to defend themselves or get out of the way very fast, this combined with thier long finnage makes them bully magnets.
I think I'll move over to your stocking advice thread for more on this.

 
Oh, yeah, the reason  I asked earlier about the filter is some filters are made so that practically all the bacteria is in one cartridge, and you get a mini-cyclye every time it is changed. However, the penguins have a Biowheel, so you should be good there, unless I'm mistaken?