What am I doing to damage my biological filter?

FishyMatty

FishyMatty

FishKiller
Jan 30, 2007
876
0
0
46
Milford,CT
Three of my tanks this week had nitrite spikes. One tank got some new fish but the other two have been running for no less than 6 months. What can I be doing to cause nitrite spikes.
I use API tap water conditioner.
I dose NPK, Iron, Excel, and co2 in two of the three.
In the tank that is currently having the nitrite spike I put some phosphate remover in the filter because my Phosphate levels were high.
Help!
 
You did not mention how often you do your water changes. Have you used a bit of aquarium salt. Not that this fixes the prob, but it will ease your Nit. pro w/ the correct water changes, 25% every day till the Nit. drop's to safe lev & what is your water sources paramters, cause correct me if I'm wrong, which I'm sure won't be a problem, but that you are also having Pho. prob's in your tank that should be under control via your plant life some what implies water source. Anyone else:)
 
Last edited:
I usually change about 25% every other day. But I just started doing a month or so ago. Phosphate problem yes, but not out of the tap. It was at like 5.0 today. I left the remover in for a few hours and then took it out. My tap water is the same as my tank accept low kh. but I buffer it myself.
Why only 25% a day. I just did like a 90%. Well, one bucket out one in. Two out one in. 8 times in a 45g.
 
I would agree with everyone - do at least 25% water changes daily until your Nitries come donw to zero....

What are the parameters from your supply...wonder if they have changed..

And what is the tank temp...are your heaters working?

Also, you dont switch your filters off?

Sorry if they re stupid questions, but these istakes can happen......I found out I had a power cut last week when at work which may have meant my filters were off for a good part of the day!
 
Did you wash your filter media with tap water, instead of just rinsing it in water from the tank?

Did you apply any medication?

Cheers
 
I'm having the same problem in my tank. The PH is out of whack and I have high nitrites. I do wash the filter off with tap water every couple of days along with a gravel vacuum, though I shouldn't be getting numbers like I am. (see my post: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101953) Its as if the tank isn't even cycled and my animals are suffering because of it!! Are turtles heavily affected by high nitrite? I know it can't be good, but seeing as they don't breath the water, is it as critical?
 
Titusville surf: washing the filter with tap water would be seriously damaging your biological filter if there is chlorine/chloramine in your tap water. You should, I think, be rinsing the media in tank water.

If I am wrong (very new) I will be corrected :)
 
If you are rinsing the filter and/or the filter media in tap water you are killing off beneficial bacteria that the filter needs to support the life in the aquarium. I would only rinse these things in tank water that has been removed from the aquarium from a water change and then return it back to the aquarium. This way you will not be killing off the good bacteria that your fishey friends need. As far as the turtle is concerned, they are messy animals and need regular consistent tank and filter cleaning. This is also important in thier tank and thier water.

Marinemom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom