HELP with nitrite

sueglancy

sueglancy

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Feb 7, 2005
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Here's the scenario...Had an established 10 gallon tank with 1 betta. Added 2 goldfish at the (as they were a "recommended" breed to pair with the betta). This arrangement did not work out. After 2-3 day we ended up with both tails of the goldfish damaged and the loss of one eye in one goldfish...so much for the "experts" at the pet shop. So...I bought a 20 gallon tank for the goldfish and used the water and gravel from the 10 gallon to begin filling the tank. I then used dechlorinated tap water for the remaining 10 gallons. I then put the betta back in the 10 gallon tank (with new water). The betta is doing fine and the goldfish appear to be fine; however, the nitrite level is still about 1-1.5ppm after 2 weeks. I have added salt and do water changes about every other day. I thought that by using the same "cycled" water and gravel from the 10 gallon I'd be in pretty good shape. Also when I tested the nitrite level from our tap (with is filtered with and undersink Aquasana filter) that water even has high nitrites! Is this possible or do I have 2 faulty test kits (I have 2 brands of nitrite test kits)??? Please help!

Sue
 
Was there a filter on the ten gallon? Just curious, a lot of the good baceria may well be in there if so and not on the substrate you moved to the 20. Also, as Kasakato pointed out, the bacteria we try to cultivate in a cycled tank are not free-swimming. The water does little. Was there a big cloudy mess when you moved the gravel over? High nitrites in the source water is pretty rough to deal with. Any chance you could use half RO and half tap water?
 
More info...

2 goldfish are in the 20 gallon (where the water and gravel from the 10 gallon was used in addition to another 10 gallons of dechlorinated water). This is the tank with the problem. The other 10 gallon tank has 2 bettas with a divider and the tank is fully cycled and fine.

In the 20 gallon, the ammonia is barely above 0ppm. The nitrite is 1-1.5 ppm and has not moved in either direction in the 2 weeks the tank has been operating. I did not have a filter on the 10 gallon before I transferred the gravel and water to the 20 gallon. I now have a filter for the 20 gallon. One of the test kits is Aquarium Pharmaceuticals and the other is Red Sea. What other information would be helpful? I'm still confused as to why the water coming from my tap (with the Aquasana under sink filter!) has nitrites. Thanks.
 
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Intereesting. What about nitrates? Basically, here is what I am thinking so far: The ten was cycled for a bioload of one betta. You moved this to a tank twice as big, with twice as many fish. Also, goldfish are notoriously messy little poop-machines. Compared to the betta, the bioload this new setup has to deal with is quite a bit bigger. Also, the gravel was tossed and turned a little, maybe pushing the formerly more anaerobic stuff up top and vice-versa. So, you are basically looking at either a mini cycle as the biofilter catches up or a full blown cycle. Since it's been two weeks, I'm opting for the latter. Keep testing everyday. Also, test for nitrates. That can be indicative of where you are in a cycle. If you see ammonia or nitrites, do a 50% water change. This will at least keep the fish healthy while the tank cycles. What kind of goldfish are they, BTW? Did the LFS let you know they will outgrow a 20 gallon?
 
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Is this possible or do I have 2 faulty test kits (I have 2 brands of nitrite test kits)??? Please help!
Click to expand...

Easy way to check your test kit is to take some water to the LFS and see if they get the same numbers.
Dave
 
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I thought once nitrAtes were present things were in good order. Why would I do a 50% water change with nitrAtes present? Also, I was told to allow 10 gallons per goldfish (medium sized - 8" grown). One is a black moor and the other is orange with black specks (forgot the name!) - pet store said they both grow to about 8 " (the orange is one of the fancy goldfish not a feeder). Is the 1 fish per 10 gallon not correct? What is the correct info? Thanks.
 
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Sorry, when you start typing things time and again... Let me correct the post and also just tell you, if you see ammonia or nitrites go ahead and do a 50% water change. You can do water changes with nitrates too. I change 50% of my water every five days. Goldfish can reach up to two feet in length though around 20 inches is fairly common. Your LFS, like many we hear about on these boards, and yes, like many we even frequent (simply because we've no other choice for fish in our areas) either don't know their stuff, or don't care and simply want to make a sale.
 
On the goldfish tank, I have an Aquaclear 50 filter (for 20-50 gallon). I was told I would only need to do a water change about once per month. Is this not good advice?
 
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