Nitrite Spike.

[mimifish]

All,

I have a 75 gallon tank and just finished the fishless cycling several days ago . In order to maintain my bacteria I continued to add some ammonia to the tank in the morning, and I would test in the evening and the tests for both ammonia & nitrite would come out negative, my pH was at 7.5.

Yesterday in anticipation of adding fish this weekend, I changed 50% of my water and added some plants (java ferns, cryptocoryne, swords, "banana plants), and some wood that I have been soaking for about 2 weeks. I refilled the tank with water after I added chlorine remover to the new water in a bucket.

I tested the water this morning and my ammonia is still negative, however my nitrite is testing positive at 0.5 ppm, my pH remains at 7.5 . Does anyone know why this happened, especially if I was maintaining the bacteria with daily additions of ammonia? This put a damper of adding fish to my tank today . When I refilled the tank, I put the new water in a large bucket and treated it with chlorine remover by adding it midstream, mixed it in, and let it sit for 10 minutes before adding the new water to the tank. The temperature remained the same.

Thanks in advance.

 

[david27]

8) I wouldn't worry to much. If you keep an eye on your nitrite levels, don't add to many fish at once and do water changes more frequently you should be okay. I don't think you can beat having a few hardy fish in a tank to complete the starting cycle, which means you will get spikes.

 

[guppymonkey]

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia and nitrites? It could be the culprit.

 

[Kossy]

Yes an important point said is not to add too many fish at once...try adding several every week and if shoalers such as cardinals (5 this week 5 next) so your filter can cope. Hope your tank looks great and all goes well

 

[mimifish]

My tap water tested negative for ammonia & nitrite. I tested my tank water again this morning and it tests negative for ammonia and the nitrite level is the same (0.5 ppm).

FYI, I did post the same concerns on a different forum, and here is the reply that I received.

Nitrite Spike, But No Fish ----- Help!

Thanks