Nitrite/Nitrate soared

[bunjiweb]

Is this normal? Will the levels drop again soon or should i take the bogwood out again and soak it for longer or anything?

Cheers

Ben

 

[jams.alaskan]

Where did you get the wood from - and how did you prepare it for your tank? I wouldn't think that it would have a great effect on either of those readings. Is it possible that those levels were already on the rise but you didn't test till you had the bogwood in?

ALASKA

 

[bunjiweb]

I don't think so, i've tested the levels every 2 days since i got it and its been cycling as normal...

Still a little high today but dropped a bit since yesterday.

Before i put the bogwood in i let it sit in a bowl of water for 12 hours or so.

Ben

 

[jams.alaskan]

That's so strange and I'm sure unexpected... Glad you check so often - you may have missed it otherwise. How are the fish doing?

ALASKA

 

[CFC]

Did you dechlorinate the water that you soaked the wood in? If not the wood could have soaked in some of the chemicals in the tapwater and then released them into your tank killing off some of the benefitial bacteria, this would have caused a nitrite spike while the bacteria colonies re group followed by a nitrate spike when they start to process the elevated nitrites.

 

[jams.alaskan]

Oh!!! You're so smart - that could very well happen. Can't wait to find out if that's it...

ALASKA

 

[bunjiweb]

Hmm no i didn't, but I don't add much chemicals to the water I use in water changes (if any) anyway.

My fish seem fine, same as they were before basically.

The levels are dropping still but not back to normal yet.

I'm now more worried about my betta who has developed a little bit of fin rot... Started treating him for it yesterday.

Do you think I need to have the filter on in the 5 gallon or is it small enough not to bother? maybe the filtration is giving him the fin rot...

I hate being a "newbie".

Ben

 

[gixer]

Did you dechlorinate the water that you soaked the wood in? If not the wood could have soaked in some of the chemicals in the tapwater and then released them into your tank killing off some of the benefitial bacteria, this would have caused a nitrite spike while the bacteria colonies re group followed by a nitrate spike when they start to process the elevated nitrites.

i very much doubt this could be the case

infact i would bet on it.

Bunjiweb, you say your tank is still cycling.. how far into your cycle are you? and what have been your readings lately?

 

[bunjiweb]

well afaik it's cycled now, the readings spiked before but have been reading steady over the last week or so until i put the bogwood in and they spiked today.

Ben

 

[Sky042]

It's possible the bogwood has some organic compounds on it that disolved into the water and caused an overload on the biological filter. Thats why I always reccomend boiling bogwood for a few hours if possible.