Added fish to the cycling with plants - How's this look?

Byron

A water change can't hurt, whatever the nitrite may be, so this is good. Then get the store to confirm (or not) the nitrite. Test may have expired? If they confirm nitrite, a small bottle of Prime or Ultimate would be advisable, and no the cycling will not be adversely affected to any degree that causes trouble. Better to slow the cycling rather than kill the fish.

never quit

Took a water sample to the pet store. She got a 3.0 ppm nitrite reading! However, she was using the paper strips. I understand they're not that accurate but it verifies a high reading. I also got a bottle of Prime, It says it'll detoxify nitrite, nitrate and remove ammonia.
So I'll do a 50% water change then add the Prime.
Interestingly, the fish look okay....Are there any outward signs of nitrite poisoning?
Oh, and got the light bulb at Lowe's....

Thanks
Never Quit

Byron

With nitrite any where above 1ppm I would expect dead fish. Early signs are rapid respiration, red gills, lethargy, hanging at the surface gasping. This excerpt is from my article on bacteria:

Fish readily absorb nitrite from the water and it combines with the hemoglobin in their blood, forming methaemoglobin. As a consequence, the blood cannot transport oxygen as easily and this can become fatal. At 0.25 ppm nitrite begins to affect fish after a short period; at 0.5 ppm it becomes dangerous; and at 1.0 ppm it is often fatal.

Use the Prime as your water conditioner, enough for the volume changed, although it can be doubled in this case. Test nitrite tomorrow, and if still high do another 50% with Prime.

never quit

Thanks!
The fish look normal and just swimming around the tank, not even near the top. They don't show any signs of distress either, but that doesn't mean there aren't issues.
I'm doing a 50% change now and added 2x the dosage of Prime. I'll check the nitrite tomorrow morning.
With all water changing and such, is it safe to add a weekly plant fert feeding? I'm using Flourish comprehensive.
Thanks again for your help

Never Quit

Byron

I would not add Flourish Comp until this settles down. Prime detoxifies heavy metals, and five of these are nutrients in the fertilizer which would be rendered void so just wasted. And that means too much of others without these five.

never quit

I tested the water at 5 pm today and the resutls are:
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrate 10 ppm
Nitrite .25 ppm

The fish all look okay, swimming around without any obvious distress.
Based on that analysis, what do you recommend I do?

Thanks
Never Quit

Byron

I had meant to contact Seachem about Prime, how it handles nitrite, I know it binds it somehow but I'd like it clarified. I'll send them a note momentarily.

One of my thoughts is that Prime may detoxify nitrite but it might still show in tests, similar to ammonia (which Prime detoxifies by binding into ammonium which is harmless but will still show on ammonia tests). But without knowing this for certain, prudence would suggest another water change. Or a dose of Prime, which i don't normally recommend as it is not a treatment, but if the water change is not possible this should suffice. But I would not repeat it. The partial water change clears the water, replacing it with fresh, always an advantage no matter what, so this is the better course.

never quit

I was kind of wondering about that.Why it still reported any trace of N compounds since I double dosed the tank! I certainly agree with you, I would much rather do a change of water than add more medicine.
OK, I'll do a 50% change now, ONLY use the dechlorinator then do an analysis tomorrow at 5.

Thanks for your help
Never Quit

Byron

I've sent an email to Seachem on Prime and nitrites. I have corresponded with them previously on issues, their scientific team is very good at providing information, so I'll report when I have something.

never quit

Thanks for looking into that. It will be interesting to read their response.
As I said, I changed 50% of the water last night, and only added dechlorinator.
Today the fish looked normal, no outward signs of stress.
The water test is as follows:
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite .25 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm

What do you recommend I do? When can I start fertilizing the plants?

Thanks for your help

Never Quit