High Nitrites
- Thread starter lambitron
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Thank you guys so much for the quick replies. I did a water change tonight. I'm not sure what the levels look like- I'll have to go pick up a test kit tomorrow. And if need be I'll do another one tomorrow!
Also, it's good to know that about the filter! Thanks!!!
Also, it's good to know that about the filter! Thanks!!!
Thanks, I went through my own experience of having to do a fish-in cycle on my son's tank about two months ago. A 6 gallon tank and for about two weeks i was changing about 4 gallons of water every evening, so i speak from *very* recent experience!
Water changes and a good test kit are your best friends right now. Test srips are inherently inaccurate, about the only type of test strip with any modicum of accuracy are good pH strips from a reputable lab supply company.
John
Good update! So, We went right out and did two 25% water changes. Got a water test kit two days ago and since last night we have no nitrites !!!
Everything else tests good too. BUT now our water is cloudy? What could cause that? And how do I make it clear?
Thanks yet again.
!!! Everything else tests good too. BUT now our water is cloudy? What could cause that? And how do I make it clear?
Thanks yet again.
Sounds like bacteria bloom. Generally not harmful and will clear itself up in a few days to a week. Just keep watching the ammonia and nitrites and nitrates and doing water changes as needed.
Keep your nitrAtes, the end results of the cycle, below 40ppm and your fish will be happy. Lots of people recommend below 20ppm. I generally test my water before changing it and do the math to figure the amount to change enough to bring it down to less than 10ppm and it will build to around 40ppm by the time I do it again.
A note on salt: Livebearers like your swordtail tend to appreciate a very low concentration of "marine salt" to a specific gravity of around 1.001~1.003. The danios and gouramis don't really need it or benifit from it, but aren't harmed by it. And if you get a pleco or other type of catfish they hate any amount of salt.
Note that I don't say "Aquarium" salt, that stuff is just NaCL (common table salt) and is pretty useless in an aquarium unless treating ich, and then there are better ways. Marine salt is a mix of various minerals and trace elements that add buffers to the water that make it slightly harder and stabilize the PH along with a bit of NaCL. A SMALL amount of marine salt goes a long way towards helping fish tolerate higher nitrate levels than they can without it. Takes a lot of research for the details, but in a nutshell it promotes a good slime coat and adjusts the osmotic pressure of the water a little bit making it harder for certain chemicals to get through the gills. Something like 1 tablespoon of marine salt per 10 gallons.
IF you decide to add salt, you should always disolve it completly OUTSIDE the tank. If a fish sees a salt crystal it will think of it as food and if it eats it can burn itself on it. Either by having a gallon bucket with water standing to be used at the next water change, or cheat and disolve it in a glass and just gradually pour it in as you change water if you use a python.
Keep your nitrAtes, the end results of the cycle, below 40ppm and your fish will be happy. Lots of people recommend below 20ppm. I generally test my water before changing it and do the math to figure the amount to change enough to bring it down to less than 10ppm and it will build to around 40ppm by the time I do it again.
A note on salt: Livebearers like your swordtail tend to appreciate a very low concentration of "marine salt" to a specific gravity of around 1.001~1.003. The danios and gouramis don't really need it or benifit from it, but aren't harmed by it. And if you get a pleco or other type of catfish they hate any amount of salt.
Note that I don't say "Aquarium" salt, that stuff is just NaCL (common table salt) and is pretty useless in an aquarium unless treating ich, and then there are better ways. Marine salt is a mix of various minerals and trace elements that add buffers to the water that make it slightly harder and stabilize the PH along with a bit of NaCL. A SMALL amount of marine salt goes a long way towards helping fish tolerate higher nitrate levels than they can without it. Takes a lot of research for the details, but in a nutshell it promotes a good slime coat and adjusts the osmotic pressure of the water a little bit making it harder for certain chemicals to get through the gills. Something like 1 tablespoon of marine salt per 10 gallons.
IF you decide to add salt, you should always disolve it completly OUTSIDE the tank. If a fish sees a salt crystal it will think of it as food and if it eats it can burn itself on it. Either by having a gallon bucket with water standing to be used at the next water change, or cheat and disolve it in a glass and just gradually pour it in as you change water if you use a python.
Yep, sounds like a bloom. It will clear up on its own.
Wiat two days and test for amonia, nitrites and nitrates. If ammonia and nitrites are still at zero, your bacteria are established and nitrates should rise a bit every day. Do water changes as often as you feel necessary to keep nitrates in your desired range. But I would recommend at least a weekly water change of 30%. The water change does more than just lower nitrates, it also replenishes minerals and pH buffers.
Your stock doesn't really require any salts. My plecos have never been bothered by salts, including table salt used for ick at 3 tsp per gallon. Go figure.
Wiat two days and test for amonia, nitrites and nitrates. If ammonia and nitrites are still at zero, your bacteria are established and nitrates should rise a bit every day. Do water changes as often as you feel necessary to keep nitrates in your desired range. But I would recommend at least a weekly water change of 30%. The water change does more than just lower nitrates, it also replenishes minerals and pH buffers.
Your stock doesn't really require any salts. My plecos have never been bothered by salts, including table salt used for ick at 3 tsp per gallon. Go figure.
OK, so besides water changes, just wait it out? I can do that.
I do have a pleco. So, I shouldn't put any marine salt in for my swordtails? We were told by the LFS to add salt to help their immune systems?
You guys are all so helpful, I'm so great full. I've learned more about fish it the past 4 days then I learned in the past 20 years.
All my fish are looking happy. After the cloudiness goes away, I'll try to get some pictures of them to share!! All of the pics look crappy now.
I do have a pleco. So, I shouldn't put any marine salt in for my swordtails? We were told by the LFS to add salt to help their immune systems?
You guys are all so helpful, I'm so great full.
I've learned more about fish it the past 4 days then I learned in the past 20 years. All my fish are looking happy. After the cloudiness goes away, I'll try to get some pictures of them to share!! All of the pics look crappy now.
