Tropical Fish Keeping banner

Nitrite Level Spike

5K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  Kelvinlim11 
#1 ·
Hello my tank is running a consistent 1.0 Nitrite reading. My fish have not died thank goodness. It has been like this for a week now. What can I do to bring it to 0
 
#3 ·
I have done 25% change and it did nothing. What if i add an air stone to the bottom. Would that help anything?
 
#4 ·
I would do a 40 to 50% water change, the more water you change out the greater the dilution of the nitrites that are in the water. Also have you tested your tap water for nitrites, and what test kit are you using? When I first cycled my 50 gallon I had a high level of nitrites, it took several large water changes to bring the level down.
 
#5 ·
I only use bottled drinking water. I use the tetra 6 in 1 strip test.
 
#6 ·
I have found that the test strips can be inaccurate and unrealiable. The liquid test kits are more realiable in my experience and in the long run they are a better deal for your money. Most members including myself use API master test kit which has the tests for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates along with tests for ph both regular and high range.
 
#8 ·
the best cure for a mini cycle is pretty much the same as an initial cycle: time and water changes.
 
#9 ·
I see that this post is a couple of days old, but I have a question that does not seem to be answered in any of th e earlier posts. What water conditioner are you using? I use Prime for each water change which will help with any immediate ammonia or nitrite issues. Also, any plants will help absorb the wastes.
 
#10 ·
Nitrites

I have done water changes. I am using water conditioner. It has been the aqueon that came with my tank. I also have 6 plants that are thriving. I dont know what to do now. They have not gone back down. Yes bottled water is extremely expensive with this large amount of water changes, however they use alot of chlorine in my tap. I may eventually do a mixture but that is after my first cycle. I bought a vaccum and vaccumed the gravel then added some sand that is suppose to be benefical for the cycling process.

I am still having a 1.0 to 2.0 reading in nitrites...:( but no fish have died yet....
 
#11 ·
you said you are using strips; have you considered buying a liquid test kit? they are more reliable. if your strips are old they may be giving you false readings. that high of levels, i'd expect at least a few deaths...
 
#13 ·
If you use a good water conditioner it will dechlorinate the tap water regardless of how high the chlorine level is; my tap is very high at times but I have no problems so long as I use the dechlorinator. API's is fine, or Prime as someone suggested which would also help with the nitrite. Save the expense of bottled water if chlorine is the only issue with your tap water.

On the nitrite, if it really were 2 ppm the fish would be dead by now. Have you tested the tap water/bottled water for nitrite?
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top