Thought tank cycled but nitrite up slightly

[rowdyates]

Hi All,

As I mentioned in another thread was hoping to add some fish in to my tank today, just coming out of a fishless cycle, but when I tested earlier ammonia was 0 but the nitrites were @ 0.3 mg/l (ppm), so I've held off adding any fish just tested again now 2 1/2 hours later and the colour is definately lighter so I'm expecting the nitrite to dissapear soon. Trouble is I'm not sure what to do next..should I still add some ammonia, maybe not as much as normal (5ml) to keep the bacteria ticking over or should I give it a miss today, obviously if all my bacteria will die if I don't that's not an option.

 

[modernhamlet]

Add the same amount as you have been. It should be gone tomorrow.

 

[SkiFletch]

yeah, keep adding ammonia, you dont want those bacteria colonies to suffer for lack of something to eat. the nitrite levels should fall to 0 repeatedly in a couple days. remember, it may take some time after adding ammonia before nitrite goes to zero... because first the ammonia bacteria have to make nitrite before the nitrite-eating ones can even start working. if you're adding ammonia once a day you might want to check for nitrites two or 3 times daily to see if theres a spike and dropoff. if there is that dropoff then it means your colonies are alive and thriving and it should be ok to add fish.

 

[rowdyates]

yeah, keep adding ammonia, you dont want those bacteria colonies to suffer for lack of something to eat. the nitrite levels should fall to 0 repeatedly in a couple days. remember, it may take some time after adding ammonia before nitrite goes to zero... because first the ammonia bacteria have to make nitrite before the nitrite-eating ones can even start working. if you're adding ammonia once a day you might want to check for nitrites two or 3 times daily to see if theres a spike and dropoff. if there is that dropoff then it means your colonies are alive and thriving and it should be ok to add fish.

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Hi SkiFletch,

Just coming out of a fishless cycle and been through a nitrite peak, just surprised to see nitrites again today, I hoped the bacteria would have converted it. I'll see what tomorrow brings.

Keith

 

[rowdyates]

Add the same amount as you have been. It should be gone tomorrow.

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Yeah, I have now, yesterdays ammonia went today, so todays should go no problem, hopefully the nitrite will go as well, thats whats concerning me

Keith

 

[SkiFletch]

are you measuring for nitrites at the same time as you add ammonia on a once per-day basis?

 

[rowdyates]

I've been doing the tests at roughly the same time daily, I test the ammonia first, then the nitrites then I add 5ml of ammonia because the readings I have been getting are 0 for the ammonia.

Keith

 

[SkiFletch]

And you're still getting a few nitrites huh? You're probably not quite there yet then, but at least you're a lot closer than I am with my re-setup . Hang in there for a couple more days

 

[rowdyates]

Yeah, going to sleep on it and see what tomorrow brings.

Cheers,

Keith

 

[SkiFletch]

Good luck keith

 

[rdd1952]

The nitrite will naturally be in the tank a little longer than the ammonia since the ammonia is transformed into nitrite. If they are both going from 2 ppm to zero in about 10 to 12 hours, you should be fine to add your fish.

 

[rowdyates]

OK, come home tonight and the nitrite is back down so I'm a bit more relaxed, unfortunately I was late home from work and couldn't test and get to the lfs, so I've added some ammonia and tomorrow will be the day.

Keith

 

[SkiFletch]

Yey, good luck. And let us know what you put in there

 

[qvx91977]

So am i right in saying that the level of PH is not as important as the levels of NO2 and NO3, PH becomes important depending on the f ish you want to keep?

Am I also right in saying that NO2 and NO3 levels should = 0 ? Anything else is harmful.


thanks,

 

[SkiFletch]

Sort of. pH is really only a concern when keeping fragile fish that like acidic water (like neon/cardinal tetras). Even then, if you have high pH tapwater, usually your LFS is forced into your same predicament so ask them what the pH is on their tanks. Chances are its almoast the same as yours, hence why people dont really worry about it till it gets above 8.5 or below 6.5 so long as its stable.

As for dangerous chemicals, NH3/4+ (ammonia and ammonium) are very toxic, and NO2 is also very toxic to fish. NO3 is only dangerous at levels far above 120ppm which most people dont get into with a normally stocked tank. If you're overstocked you might be able to get into that range. The only ways to decrease nitrAtes (NO3) is to do water changes or use live plants.