High test results.

AirborneForever

I just tested my 55 gallon that has been testing 0 for ammonia and 0 for nitrites, and the results came back .25 ppm for ammonia and 1 ppm for nitrites. Yesterday I added 6 black skirt tetras, is this what caused the spike? The tank is heavily planted. I plan on doing a 25% water change but will this spike harm my fish? Is there anything else I can do?

jeaninel

It probably was the addition of the new fish. Is this a new tank that is still cycling? How long has the tank been up and running and what other fish are in it? Do a water change and keep an eye on the parameters (which it sounds like you have been doing). Not sure what water conditioner you use, but Prime helps with nitrite and ammonia so if you have some a little extra dose will help. Keep testing the water daily and do more water changes if needed. If this is an established tank it should recover very quickly from the mini-cycle.

BarbH

How long has this tank been running for? What is your level on nitRATES? Also how are you testing, are you using a liquid test kit or test strips? Definitly I would be doing a water change, and also keep an eye on the parameters.

AirborneForever

Its only been setup for a month, but i used some gravel from my 20 gallon, and hung my 20 gallons filter on it for a few weeks to let the 55s filter culture, and also planted it heavily. I saw a spike in the second week, and it has been testing 0 ever since, until today. The other tank mates are 3 guppies, a red wag Platy, a red tiger Platy, 4 otos, and 3 corydoras. Will add a little extra conditioner with the water change and continue to watch it. Also I use the API liquid master test kit.

BarbH

Are you getting any readings on Nitrates, on a tank that is established your readings should be ammonia and nitrites 0, and should have a reading on nitrates of around 10-20. If you are not getting a reading on nitrates, then your tank is still cycling.

AirborneForever

Sorry, I forgot to add that one. The nitrates are somewhere between 10 and 20. I have a hard time distinguishing the color on the nitrate chart. to me it looks like its somewhere inbetween the color for 10 and the color for 20, as their both shades of orange.

BarbH

With the numbers that you had before the addition of fish I would agree with jeaninel that you are going through a mini cycle that was set off with the addition of the new fish. Keep up with the water changes as needed, and keep an eye on the parameters. I agree sometimes it can be difficult matching up the colors on the cards, sometimes a second opinion helps if you have someone elese around that is able to look also.

AirborneForever

Is this going to be harmful for my fish in the meantime though?

BarbH

At the levels that you have right now, your fish should be fine. Are they acting any differently than they were before? As suggested you can use a product like Prime and Amquel plus, they are both water conditioners and they will also detoxify the ammonia and nitrites that are in the tank. IMO water changes are the biggest thing they will help to lower the amount of ammonia and nitrites in the tank. If it was me I would do about a 30% water change, and would test my parameters on a daily basis. Also watch your fish to see if they start to act differently.

jeaninel

+1