Pesky Nitrites

[SlyT]

Just done 80% WC.

nitrites still very high (off the chart)

Getting propper annoyed

 

[Geoff1991]

That doesnt seem right...

What are your tap water stats again?
How often are you adding ammonia?
What are you treating the tap water with?

 

[SlyT]

pH 7
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0

Im using tetra aqua safe to treat the water

adding ammonia every 24 hrs

 

[Geoff1991]

That is confusing...

If your nitrites are off the chart and you do an 80% water change with tap water that has zero nitrite, your nitrite in the tank should be low if not zero...

The only other thing i can think of is, are you sure your not adding to much ammonia?

Dont be offended, im just covered all the basics just in case. Because that nitrites got to be coming from somewhere...

 

[SlyT]

only adding 4ppm now, but was adding 5ppm

 

[Geoff1991]

Hmm, i dont know what else could be causing it...

Hopefully someone else will be along soon to help you out.

 

[waterdrop]

Sly, if your fishless cycling numbers are not making sense there's nothing wrong with multiple 90% water changes to get yourself back to tap water conditions. Sometimes it surprising the large percentage of nitrites and nitrates that can seem to hang out in the little bit of water thats -not- changed. Just be sure to condition and temp match and recharge with ammonia. After all the bacteria are all hanging out in the filter, they'll be fine.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[SlyT]

Cheers WD.

I must confess the temp matching is hard, Ive got a 300ltr tank so it is most practical for me to fill with a hose (cold) but then add a couple of hot buckets at the same time.

Getting the water out of that tank aint fun either, 50% is reaosonable, but the 80% yesterday was a fair bit touger. Wish id got a sink near the tank so i could one of them python thingys.

What water conditioner do you recommend? I am dosing in the tank as read on here. (50% conditioner before adding water, 50% after)

would the liquid carbon or TPN+ be having an adverse affect?

 

[Geoff1991]

If you make a DIY python you could use any sink you wanted...

I actually drain/fill my tank using the sink downstairs in the kitchen...

Edit: I use TPN+ and im having no problems.

I like the API tap water conditioner...

 

[SlyT]

DIY Python Ive just finished making is slowly emptying the tank...

If doing another large WC the day after is ill advised, please let me know ASAP.

80% done yesteray, planning the same or more again.

I leave the filter on, is this ill advised ??

 

[SlyT]

90% WC now complete.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite Approx 4ppm
Nitrate approx 5ppm
pH 7.4

Ammonia redosed up to 4ppm.

Have I done anything wrong / missed anything ?

I just prey the LFS will look after my fish for a little longer.

A few kind words/reassurance on the whole thing would be well recieved, after doing 2 days straight of v.large WC in a 300ltr tank, Im blooming exhausted and almost spirit broken

SlyT

 

[waterdrop]

No, you're doing great! Leave the filter on, just don't let it run dry of course, lol. I hope you don't think this is going *speed up* your fishless cycle, its not. Its just hopefully going to help get you back to where the feedback makes more sense and the process is sort of "reset." ...Of course I should say, we hope the lowered NO2 and NO3 -will- speed things a little!

Glad you're working on the Python idea. Acually the whole reason I liked the original product itself was because of all the custom lengths and the brass adapters for all types of strange bathroom faucets etc. I've probably misguided you about the temp matching - I was just saying it to try and keep things as nice as possible for the bacteria but in a big tank and a situation like yours you should be worrying about that detail. Your heater will be getting good old cold hose water up to where it needs to be overnight and that'll be good enough. Tossing in some warm if you can will just help it along, no worries. You'll want to bring it back up to 84F/29C.

Agree with Geoff (he's got a good head for this stuff!) that its no problem having your good fertilizers in there, in fact it'll probably help to ensure that the bacteria can get a little iron when they want it as that's one of the things that its known they need, along with enough hardness in the water for them to get a little calcium! My personal pref is for the Seachem Prime water condition or perhaps Amquel+. I like these for beginners for the duration of the fishless cycle and however long it lasts after that but then after the colonies are robust I recommend switching to pond conditioner products as cheaper.

Hey, don't get down about it. One of the reasons you see "repeat" people here is that everyone ends up feeling they will do some things differently "next time." Its only after you've really experienced it that you'd truly know to allow a big bunch of time for the whole fishless cycling and setup thing. These bacteria are just plain slow sometimes! Don't worry, you're big tank is going to be great!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[SlyT]

Thanks WD,

Your words always cheer me up

Off to bed now, but dont feel so fed up anymore. I hope some of those fish have survived as I want to make up the crappy night they had in the tank last time.

DIY Python was pretty decent, not strong enough at emptying for gravel vacuuming, but strong enough that I can now do a big WC without putting my back out and spilling water everywhere !

Thanks again

SlyT

 

[waterdrop]

Yeah, my back's not great so its of major importance to me!

Water changed tanks always look so nice the next morning, plus you feel rested!

SeeYa

 

[SlyT]

12 hours later,

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 5ppm
pH 7.2 (was 7.2 y'day too, I missread - thought the sencond highest colour was 7.4 but its 7.2)

Do I therefore have NBacs ?

If I didnt, wouldnt my Nitrites be far higher ?

SlyT