Will These Levels Be A Problem?

[ghostchoir]

I started my tank on Saturday 10th. We started with bottled bacteria and left the tank running for a week.

On Saturday 17th we added our first fishies - they are an adorable group of 5 glowlight danios who I love very much We did a small 10% water change on Sunday - this was really just because my boyfriend accidentally put too much food in, and after giving them 10 minutes or so to eat whatever they were going to we wanted to get the rest of the food out - and doing a small change seemed like the best way of doing it at the same time.

Anyway, I tested the water a minute ago and I'm confused as to whether it is a problem or not. The ammonia levels etc are fine and at zero, however the nitrite levels are at 0.3 mg/l. I know that's not exceptionally dangerous for them but I love my danios and I don't want them to die. Are the levels a problem, and if so should I just be giving them a water change or leaving it there? (I read on some sites that it was good to leave it there at the beginning)

My danios seem completely fine - they are currently enjoying riding the bubbles from the air pump and chasing each other around. Though on the first day they were very scared and didn't come out of their ship toy, aside from that they have been very active for the most part so they don't seem bothered by it at all.

Do I need to do anything about the levels or is that fine?

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

My nitrite levels are at the same level my tank has been going since the 2nd of march at first i had 6 black mollies then one died and on saturday i brought 5 Zebra danio's all are swimming around fine...

My Full stats are:

Ammonia 0mg/l
Nitrite 0.3mg/l
Nitrate 50mg/l
P.H 7.0 - 7.5

are these pretty good ?

 

[Tessla]

Do you mean glowlight tetras or are they zebra danios? Danios are one of the more durable fish out there, many tetras are very hardy as well. I doubt that these nitrite levels will kill your fish, but keep a close eye on them and do water changes to keep them down. Don't add any more fish to your tank until you get a constant reading of 0 for both ammonia and nitrite. If you can add mature filter media from an established tank, you will speed up the process.

Hopefully you both have accurate test kits, API does a good liquid one. Don't bother with the dip test strips as they don't give accurate readings.

What size tanks are we talking about here? You may have a lot of bioload if you've got a small tank, which means you'll want to do frequent water changes to keep those levels down. In 26.5 gallons, you shouldn't have to worry too much there James.

MadMan-JaMeS, do you mean that your pH has been swinging from 7.0 to 7.5? Or is your test kit not accurate enough to tell? You should aim for a very constant pH, if it is swinging you may need to add a buffer. Also, I'd return the mollies as they do better in brackish water or very very clean fresh water.

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

i've got a nutrafin test kit

and on the colour chart is has 7.0 one side and 7.5 on the other of the same colcour so not rly sure ?

its my first p.h test so not sure whether it has been fluctuating !

this is my 3rd ammonia,nitrite and nitrate test but the other two where done by my lfs and the never said any readings just that my tank was doing fine i've got nothing to worry about at this stage !

 

[Tessla]

Nutrafin is exactly the sort of kit you should be using. One side is likely the color for salt water testing, if the color doesn't change much from test to test, you're probably fine.

 

[ghostchoir]

They're not glowlight tetras or zebra danios - they are glowlight danios.

I use Tera Test kits. They aren't test strips though I don't know what you would call them, they basically involve using syringes and droppers and all that fun stuff.

My tank is 125 litres.

 

[ghostchoir]

They're not glowlight tetras or zebra danios - they are glowlight danios.

I use Tera Test kits. They aren't test strips though I don't know what you would call them, they basically involve using syringes and droppers and all that fun stuff.

My tank is 125 litres.

 

[ghostchoir]

Whoops, apologise for spamming there. My computer went mad.

 

[Tessla]

Ahh, wasn't familiar with the glowlight danio, haven't actually seen them in the shops around here. If they're anything like their relatives they'll be nearly impossible to kill.

Not familiar with Tera test kits, but if it involves droppers and such you've got the right kind. In that size tank you should be fine just testing your water and doing a couple of 10% water changes a week until the bacteria in your filter build up. Just don't add any more fish until your tank is fully cycled.

 

[ghostchoir]

From what I've heard they are pretty much exactly like the zebras, only they are a gorgeous orange colour. I'm way too attatched to them I'm glad to hear they seem to live forever!

OK, thanks!

 

[Dutchie]

Back to your stats, I think your tank is starting the 'cycle' process.

You should start to see a large spike shortly in both Nitrite and Nitrate.....which will then drop down slowly with water changes......

However, be prepared to loose a few fish during this cycle..........

 

[ghostchoir]

Aww, I hoped the bottled bacteria would hopefully stop it from getting that bad, sigh. I guess I'm just going to check it every day and change their water every day haha

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah it looks like the bottled bacteria kicked things off so the initial ammonia spike went pretty quickly and the nitrite spike is just starting now. daily small water changes until it's gone. levels of ammonia and nitrite should always be 0. any day you get a reading for either of them you should do a water change.

 

[-germ-]

Would anyone recommend seachem prime to ghostchoir? Its supposed to de-toxify nitrite/ammonia without effecting Ph and without causing future toxic spikes? Its doing fine in my tank and is sold as being able to be used as an "if all else fails" back up plan.....
There are some good reviews on the net for it ghost but i reckon the people here (NOT ME!!) may be able to tell you if it is worth it..........

 

[Miss Wiggle]

i've never used it so can't comment. to my mind though i don't like adding chemicals if I can avoid it so I'd stick to water changes. Like to keep things natural