2leftfins

I received an early Christmas gift from my wife (a 55 Gallon) freshwater tank. I started it on the 7th and added 6 Red Eye Tetras. I have been doing weekly water changes and testing the water 1 to 2 times per week.

To date all has gone well. After week two I added 8 other Tetras and a Cory. They all seem to be doing well, lots of energy and almost seem to be playing with one another.

A few days ago the Nitrite test showed between .8 and 1.0 and I did a 20% water change. Tonight I tested again and am still approaching 0.8. Funny thing is, the Ammonia is at 0. I tested twice to make sure.

Is there something I am missing? How do I get control of the nitrite level?

Here are my results

pH- 7.8
NH3 - 0
NO2 - .8

I have a nitrate test kit on my list of things to get next time I go to the LFS.

Sarah84

Hi there!
Usually the cycling of the fish tank tanks anywhere from 6-8 weeks, and possibly longer with water changes. The spike in the Nitrite could possibly because you've added too many fish too fast... and on top of cycling the new tank.
The nitrites and amonia will peak and then fall.. with the establishment of the beneificial bacteria.
I would ease on adding any new fish into the tank until the cycling has been complete.. as it is unfair to the fish, because of the toxicity of nitrites, amonia. and are potentially lethal.. and nevermind the endless cost to replacing fish. I would recommend to keep up on the water changes, and make sure you are not overfeeding.. and just wait and be patience I learned everything the hard way..

Here is the link to the 'sticky' about cycling the aquarium. That might help you out a little to explain the process a little clearer.

http://www.fishtankforums.com/5-fres...-aquarium.html

There are probably going to be more replies that are more informative.. than me. Just trying to help with the knowledge that I know

Sarah

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34 Gal SW Reef
55 Gal FW

2leftfins

Thanks for the reply Sarah. I understand (or think I do) about starting new tanks. I had the first 6 in there for the first two weeks and when asking the LFS about adding more they gave me the green light. I saw the Ammonia spike and assumed that this elevated level is the Nitrite spike as the stage 2 bacteria are starting to multiply.

I too figured I messed up and added too many too quickly (in hindsight) but am not wanting to have any of them die because of it. I can't speed the cycle up and was concerned that doing too many water changes may affect other aspects of the tank....

I was thinking of dumping in some 'beneficial bacteria' and hope they could help, but before making any more mistakes I wanted to ask here and do some more reading online and at the library about dealing with nitrite.

Sarah84

I would advice to err on the side of caution to what the LFS is advising.. a lot of times they are all about selling and making profit vs really caring about the well being of fish fish and your wallet. This is some LFS not all.
Some provide great advice.

...As far as adding 'beneifical bacteria' the additives that claim to add benefical bacteria when they give very limited positive assistance to your tank (depending on what kind of additive you are thinking of). Many people on here I think would agree. It is really a waiting game for the bacteria to grow..

I am still learning myself but I would monitor your parameters carefully and do water changes accordingly to keep the fish as safe as possible.

I have found the internet *very* helpful, more than LFS. Just lots and lots of reseach, including what types of fish to add. Also, I noticed you put 1 cory catfish in your tank, when your tank is ready for more fish, Cory's do best in groups of 3 or more.
Good luck
hope i've helped!
Sarah

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34 Gal SW Reef
55 Gal FW

BJP

My one experience with Bio-Spira had positive results and if you're showing no ammonia you may get better results than I did adding it at a time when my ammonia was already high. I don't think you have to have the product and there are alternatives including adding live plants. Live plants may bring in more bacteria with them and if they're growing they serve to suppliment the bacteria removing ammonia and nitrate.

Water changes will not bring the nitrite level down if you continue to feed the fish. I'm not sure what other aspect you're worried about affecting but my own testing with gravel vacuuming during water changes leads me to believe that the tanks I gravel vacuum frequently develop a large bacteria bed in a location that's more permanent. When left unvacuumed most of the bacteria colonize the surface of the gravel and even any debri that has accumulated. When we finally start to vacuum later on, the debri is removed taking any bacteria on it with it, the gravel is sent rotating and colliding into each other in the siphon which has to thin out some of the thickness of the biofilm and a portion of that gravel now ends up at the bottom of the gravel bed away from the richer sources of oxygen and food. By vacuuming all along we develop a healthier/sturdier bacteria bed, in locations that are going to end up being more permanent and scattered throughout the substrate.