Nitrite levels out of control - HELP!!!!!

[njmuk]

Hiya,

We've got a 70Ltr tank and initially it took weeks to get the water all sorted, particularly Nitrite* levels. It's been spot on for weeks, we gave it a good clean (cleaning the filter sponges in the water from the tank during a water change) and doing a 20% (approx) water change. We also put in some anti fungus stuff. later that day all the fish looked rather stoned and not doing alot. Now all the water is cloudy, the Nitrite* level has gone out of control and they are all having problems breathing. How can this happen with respect to what we did and how do we best sort it? So far a 25% water change has been done...... Any advice would be most appreciated!


* I'm assuming it's Nitrite as opposed to Nitrate but cannot get back in touch with my girlfriend to confirm at present.

 

[tstenback]

By cleaning the filter you may have destroyed a healthy portion of the bacteria colony. You seem unsure if it is nitrITE or nitrATE causing the problem. What are you current readings for ammonia, nitrITE and nitrATE? Some meds can also destroy the bacteria.

 

[njmuk]

It is Nitrite. Not done a Nitrate reading but Amonia is ok. We only rinsed the filter sponges in the water we took out of the tank. It all started after the water change so I'm thinking it was the treatment we put in?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi njmuk

I think you might have a problem with the medication you are using. It could very well be killing off your beneficial bacteria.

Before you go further with this, let me ask about the fish you are treating. What kind of fish is it? Are you sure it's a fungus and not a bacterial infection that looks like a fungus? (This is a common mistake.) And, what kind of medication are you using? Perhaps someone will know something about this specific medicine.

 

[njmuk]

Hi, the fish we was trying to treat was a rummy nose tetra which had a lump on his head. A female Gourami also has what looked like a skin infection (missing scales in little round patches). I know we used a fungus treatment which we added 15ml to some warm water then added to the tank. The fish seemed stoned shortly after but I did put more inthan specified.

The water is still proper cloudy. Is there anything more we can do that just water changes?

 

[Mesome]

The water is still proper cloudy. Is there anything more we can do that just water changes?

In my experience, the best thing that you can almost always do is water changes. Do you have aquarium salt? That could help also.