Nitrite Problem

[AnimalFriend]

I found some great guppies so I got 4. I put them in my 10 gallon tank. The tank has been running since the end of April. It had Mollies to start with until I discovered a baby. The adults were moved so it was just the baby. Then a friend gave me her only surviving baby guppy that was born in June. So the tank has just been the two babies until 3 days ago. The 4 new guppies are all about an inch and a half long. I also got 2 catfish.

I have been testing the water regularly and the levels have been fine until today. The ammonia is 0, the pH is 7.6 but the nitrite is 2.0!!!! My fish store guy said that is common when you add new fish and is will even out. He recommended a 10% water change and adding some cycle, which I did. A friend just said that she had an air stone to help remove ammonia, so I put one in thinking it might help with the nitrite. The new guppies looked stressed so I move them in with my betta (and a divider!) His tank tested zero for ammonia and nitrite and 7.6 for pH, so I figured they might be happier.

I am going to search the forum for previous comments, but what else can I do?

Thanks, Wendy

 

[AnimalFriend]

I just read in eskieluvr's post to lower nitrites:
1. less food
2. less fish
3. add cycle/bacteria
4. add salt

So I'm going to add some aquarium salt.

 

[val]

If all else fails and you need to use a chemical, Kordon Amquel Plus is the best water conditioner for getting rid of any bad water qualities.

Valerie

 

[AnimalFriend]

Thanks Val-- I will call my fish dude tomorrow.

I panicked and vacuumed the tank realizing that I had skipped it due to the babies. It is now 3 am my time and I woke up and decided to check the value and it has come down to 1.0. The guppies are looking much better in the other tank. the babies have looked fine in the original tank so I did not move them. They and the catfish still look fine in the nitrite tank.



Thanks, Wendy

 

[CFC]

I just read in eskieluvr's post to lower nitrites:
1. less food
2. less fish
3. add cycle/bacteria
4. add salt

So I'm going to add some aquarium salt.

1:YES
2:YES
3:Maybe,many are sceptical about the usefullness of bottled bacterias,i personally dont use them,sqeezing out a sponge from a established filter will provide live bacteria in higher quantities.
4:Why,i fail to see what help salt will do in bring down nitrites.Unless the tank is brackish or saltwater dont add salt.

The best way maintain safe levels in the tank is waterchanges,if your nitrite levels are high then do daily 10% water changes untill they fall back to normal and then 20% water changes weekly after that.

 

[PJGuppies]

I have had the same problem...I have a 5 1/2 gal with Guppy fry in there, and the Nitrites got up to 5.0!! I posted on here and everyone really helped..I did water changes everyday 10-20% It has finally went down and still going down, its at about .50, (I have to check it today) but i am still continuing the water changes....

Good Luck with your tank!

 

[bigfish]

Just a little note CATFISH dont like SALT!!!!!!!

It BURNS their skin.

HTH

 

[AnimalFriend]

Miracle!! 24 hours later the nitrite is less than .25.

I did add about 1/2 tablespoon of aquarium salt. Bigfish, I'll watch my catfish and won't add more salt. They seem fine. Thanks for the info.

The guppies calmed down in the betta tank, they breathing slowed to normal rate. Since the nitrite went down, I put them back because the betta was bullying them. I plan to test the tank twice a day for a while. Because I panicked and vacuumed, I ended up doing more like a 25% water change, so I'll wait a day and then do a small change.

Thanks for all of the advice, Wendy

 

[eskieluvr]

The info I got on lowering nitrites was found on a webpage, and pertained to oscars. I'm still working on lowering my nitrites. It's been a while. My levels in one tank is down to .25 and down to 0 in the other. I'm doing major water changes!

manda

 

[AnimalFriend]

Miracle!!! In two days my tank went from being toxic from nitrites above two to zero!!!! The ammonia is zero and the nitrate is 20.

Sadly, one of my catfish did not make it. But the rest look quite well.

Thanks, Wendy