high nitrites... argh!!!

J

jparnell

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Aug 29, 2004
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Hi all,
Ok. New tank (going on 4 weeks?)
5 glowlite tetras, 2 albino cories. 10g tank.
Ammonia just dropped to 0 a couple of days ago.
Here's my problem. I can't get nitrites down. I've been doing 1, sometimes 2 water changes a day. Always with a gravel vac. Is that my problem?
I can't get nitrites below 1... I know this is bad for the fish. They're starting to have redder gills than normal. It's been like this for a few days, but I'm a little hesitant to do more water changes. I'm doing about 25% at a shot, but it seems to have no impact. Had a case of planaria this week, so the fish went on a two-day fast, which worked on the planaria, but still no nitrite reduction. Doing minimal feeding, to try and keep things in check.
Any advice?

My fish thank you!
 
Bigger water changes, more of them. The stage of the cycle you are in has constant production of nitrite with nothing there yet to eat them up. I would reccomend 2x 50% minimum until the levels get below 0.5 ppm and then at least 1x 50% daily until they stay that way on their own. IME the nitrite portion of the cycle is the most frustrating and slowest. so you'll have some work to do for the next week or so until things finish up with your cycle. Large water changes do not hurt the cycle, lack of large water changes will hurt your fish. Also to releive nitrite caused stress a small amount (1/4 tsp per gallon should be enough, 1/2 tsp per gallon is generous) of table salt or Kcl (nu-salt) will help your fish immensly. the Cl in nacl or Kcl essentially counteracts the effects of nitrite in the fish.
Dave
 
I thought I read somewhere that tetras don't respond well to salt.... are you sure this is ok?
 
In small quantities for a short time it will be far better than nitrite poisoning. Most of the warnings we hear about salt are based on folks who use it long term as part of their normal aquarium maintenance. Short term for treatment is a different situation altogether. As sson as the nitrites come down via water changes, the addition of salt should stop as well, and eventually the water changes will remove it all from the tank.

Despite the fact that Salt is not needed for a normally running freshwater tank. there is a huge nyth that many people hold true to. those folks add salt at all times in their tanks, and will cause trouble with any fish that doesn't tolerate high dissolved solids in their water
 
Yes, use salt mixed with the change water for now. As Daveedka mentioned it will help the fish breathe easier in a nitrite rich environment. Only add new salt after you have taken old salty water out and never use salt in top off water or the salt level will just increase.

After the nitrites have dropped to zero permanantly you can remove the salt through normal water changes.
 
I'll be so glad when this cycling thing is done.

Ok. Did a 25% water change this am, and a 50% change this pm. Got nitrites back down to .5, and ammonia is still 0.

I'll keep doing changes. Now... is it normal for fish to act funny when nitrites are high? swimming at weird angles, that kind of thing? Ok, apart from the fact that my tetras spawned AGAIN this evening (they seem to like doing that. seems like every week they have a spawning session, regardless how good or bad the water is!)
 
Many fish will display odd behavior in the face of high nitrites (and sometimes nitrates). Water changes are your best defense. Keep nitrites below .5 ppm and your fish will thank you!

Jim
 
is it normal for fish to act funny when nitrites are high? swimming at weird angles, that kind of thing?
Click to expand...

the end result of nitrite poisoning is lack of oxygen to the brain. one of the first signs is delerium.
dave
 
well, glad to hear my fish are as demented as I am! :-)
As long as they can survive these daily (sometimes twice daily) changes, we'll all get through this ok.

Thanks for all your help.

One last question... I'm still using the filter I got with my tank... carbon Top Fin. When do I buy a new one to replace this one? I've been rinsing this one every week in the water I've taken OUT of the tank (thanks for that tip). And when I do put a new one in, is it best to rinse it in tank water or fresh water?

Thanks again!
 
Carbon is largely ineffective after the first few days to a week. it is also largely unnecessary in your tank. It has purpose, but not for everyday fishkeeping IMO. It is however a decent bio-media, and will colonize bacteria well so I would leave it until well after you cycle is estabilished. Changing it out now may set you back a bit in the cycle depending on how much other good bio-media you have.
Dave
 
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