Nitrites at 1.0

[djprincessx]

HELP! My nitrites have risen in like 3 hours... what should i do? I dont have an ammonia test kit because my fiance kept on telling me that the test strips that we use test for it but they don't.... STUPID STUPID STUPID ME... i should of just went ahead and bought the strips... these are my readings
PH: 6.4
KH: 120
GH: 200
Nitrites: 1
Nitrate: 60

What should I do... I just added 5 new fish from my other tank today... could that be the reason... should i do a water change? What should I do? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

 

[FishDan]

Adding fish can easily explain an increased ammonia and nitrite reading. As in most cases, a water change is the best way to start immediately helping.

\Dan

 

[djprincessx]

Adding fish can easily explain an increased ammonia and nitrite reading. As in most cases, a water change is the best way to start immediately helping.

\Dan

already done the water change... added novaaqua, amquel plus and cycle to the tank... when should i test my water again... it's been an hour?

 

[cometcattle]

Adding fish can easily explain an increased ammonia and nitrite reading. As in most cases, a water change is the best way to start immediately helping.

\Dan

already done the water change... added novaaqua, amquel plus and cycle to the tank... when should i test my water again... it's been an hour?

What's it at now?

 

[djprincessx]

Let me check... I actually just woke up and got some food... time for the results *drum roll pls*
PH: 6.8
KH: 180
GH 200
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 60

Doing much better now!

 

[cometcattle]

Your nitrate is a little high.

When was the last water change?

 

[djprincessx]

Your nitrate is a little high.

When was the last water change?

At least it's not what i used to keep it at... and i'm doing water changes everyday until it drops.... i've learned a lot from these forums! and it's only been a week... *LOL*

 

[FishDan]

That nitrate level isn't so bad. I think it just depends on your source. Some people say below 40, some others say below 80. In that case you are right in the middle. Since (at least it seems to me) you just recently changed your water, your nitrates may stay at about that level. Probably because your source water has nitrates of about that range. If that's the case, no amount of water changing will help unless you go to a different source. Personally, if your nitrates don't go much higher, I wouldn't worry. You can also try adding some live plants. Many, especially faster-growing ones, will practically suck the nitrates from your water!

\Dan

 

[djprincessx]

Thanx for the reply. Iwant to get some live plants but i don't want to deal with the maintenance. Are they really hard to maintain and stuff... it's enough trying to take care of my fish *LOL*

 

[StevieJack]

A good light and some aquatic plant food are all you need; plats are easy to take care of…
I have no idea why they ever created artificial plants for aquariums.

Stevie