OMG...help please

[freshwatergal]

I did a nitrIte test tonight on both tanks and was floored by the results. Maybe I am just over-reacting...

puffer tank @ 2.0

community tank @ 5.0

Ammonia on both tanks at 0

Outside of a water change, what else should I do? I've lost two fish (female betta, dano) and Im thinking it is because of the nitrItes. I've only lost one puffer, but I think it was because he wasnt eating. Any suggestions would be welcome!!

tiff

 

[mashimaro_0000]

when was your last time you changed your water, by how much? and what size is it?

 

[juliethegr8t]

Sounds like you're in the second stage of your cycle. Nitrites can go sky high during this time, so they may actually continue rising. I wasn't aware of all this cycling business (if you aren't sure about it, check out a pinned article by Alien Anna in the Beginner's Forum), and so when I had my 10 gallon goin, my nitrites were over 6.0 for weeks. Fortunately my fish survived, but I think this is due to my water changes and salt. Aquarium salt can help to counter the effects of high nitrites, so I'd definitely suggest adding some. I added a tablespoon per 5 gallons, though some people do less at a teaspoon per 5. I also did every other day water changes of 10-20% plus 25% gravel vacuums weekly. This is what worked for me, and others may have different suggestions, but I'd say go ahead and try it. You've gotta do somethin for da poor fishies!

 

[freshwatergal]

I did a gravel vac on my puffer tank last week...it's a 20 gal tank

I did a gravel vac on my community tank this past monday night...it's a 46 gal tank.

 

[Tolak]

If you can increase airation that might help. Worked for me a while back.

Tolak

 

[freshwatergal]

On both tanks I have a penguin 170 bio-wheel filter. I also have a long bubble curtain in the 46 gal tank. I just did about 40% water changes on both tanks, and added some salt according to directions. I will wait until tomorrow night to see where I am at.

 

[Lithril]

Gotta check, have you any plecos or cories in your tanks If so the salt will kill them.

Keep checking the water parameters, and if need be do daily water changes (10-20%) until they drop and the tank starts cycling again.

 

[freshwatergal]

I just checked my nitrItes again today and they were at 1.0. Now that I look at the test tube in the light, it may have been at 1.0 the other night. I have a rather dark apartment at night, so I could have gotten a false reading. It is kinda hard to decifer which color purple I should go with, ya know what I mean? I will do another water change tonight.

Also, has anyone heard about using TABLE salt in your tanks? I had someone on another forum tell me that the iodine in the TABLE salt will help with the nitrItes. Any opinion?

 

[cichlidmaster]

It is not recommended to use table salt containing iodine in fish tanks!!

Table salt is ok as long as it is non-iodized!!