Nitrite update, and NITRATE question.

[momopoms]

Now I have my ammonia down to zero, my nitrites are up to 0.5, and am registering nitrates at 5.0

I have been doing approx 80-90% water changes when the nitrites register, (which has been daily for 7 days), and then register nitrites of 0. I have done 50% changes, but the nitrites are not diluted enough after one change, so I have resorted to the more drastic water change.


My question is, am I to expect a drop in Nitrites and a shift to increasing nitrates soon?


Also, I read (somewhere on this board, I think) that addition of salt is not necessary, at least not in the usual recommended Tablespoon per 5 gallon ratio.

I hope I have not misunderstood this, any thoughts on this?

Thanks for all your help everyone!

Momopoms


:cool:

[Stuart Watson]

I have not seen the rest of your thread here as I picked this up from the New Posts.

I would therefore add only that pukka cycling can take as long as 3-4 weeks depending on how large the water filter is, area of spnges etc. and what you have in it and what bacteria you might have introduced on plants / rocks etc. etc. to name the obvious.

However, the large water change is no doubt removing soooo much good bacteria for the ammonia-nitrIte-nitrAte cycle that you are probably causing the cycling to falter, so with new clean water it has to build up again a bacteria buffer, just for you to remove it again with a mass water change.

I say stick to 25% weekly. One of my 55G tanks took 3 weeks to settle, and now gives negligable readings after 25% weekly changes - it is a matter of patience.

Don't change or clean the filter sponges unless you really have to during cycling, and any way not within 48 hours of a water change to help promote good bacterial buffering in the water.

I think you will see good results soon, but be prepared to wait another 7-14 days ?

[momopoms]

Thanks,

My water changes have been so drastic because I want to reduce the stress on the fish. I have 24 fish in the tank 29g, no live plants, or rocks, just fish. I know I must be removing the good bacteria, but they come right back the next day, if the nitrite level is an indication. Hate to remove them, but the nitrite level will make things hard on the fish, so in order to get the nitrites down to 0%, I have had to change a large percent of the water.

Won't my fish suffer if I allow the nitrites and ammonia to build up for a week before doing a water change?

Also, I have not changed the filters at all since starting the tank a month ago, so as not to remove beneficial organisms.

[TKOS]

Since you have fish in the tank it is essential that you do water changes to get those ammonia and nitrite levels down to 0. If that means everyday for now then that is fine.

There is practically no bacteria in the water so changing it won't hurt the cycle that way. What it does is remove the food source for thebacteria that is established in the filter and on rocks, etc... This means the cycle will be slower but since you have fish in there you have no option. That is why fishless cycling is generally the agreed upon way here. But that is neither here not there. Nitrites will compete for the oxygen in the gills of your fish. So if you let the levels climb the fish will suffocate. Adding aquarium salt salt to the aquarium will protect your fishes gills from the nitrates but since your levels are fairly low I would suggest you just stick to water changes.

Do you have plants? They will generally change the way the cycle works as they will use some of the nitrogen that is available (ammonia, nitrites and nitrates). If you don't then you could get soem to help keep those levels lower.

[carpguy]

The ammonia- and nitrite-eaters live on things. They aren't free floating.

As long as there is a detectable reading there is more than the bacteria can handle and the bacteria will continue to grow. Water changes do not slow down cycling.

But you probably don't need to be changing quite that much. You just want to stay below about .25 ppm. A little salt in the water will reduce nitrite toxicity. You could try a teaspoon per 5 gallons and do smaller changes, if just for your own sake. This is going to take a few weeks at least.

RTR has an article that goes into great detail (http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/microbes1.shtml) for the detail-oriented.

[Stuart Watson]

momopoms

I see your problem now I read you are well stocked. Indeed yes if you must do daily changes to get that ammonia out then you must.

Best of luck and I wish on you the patience of Saints.