high nitrites

Thanks Harlock,

Here's a question for you; Do you think a higher level of Nitrite causes the bacteria to form quicker than a lower level? (for instance, all other things being equal, will a tank at 2ppm Nitrites cause bacteria to form quicker than one at .5 Nitrites?)

Thanks.
 
I hope this question wasn't meant for Harlock only...if so tell me to shut up! :)

As far as growth of Nitrite converting bacterial growth goes, it will multiply at max rate until there is no more food. In other words if you have ANY detectable levels of nitrite then there is TOO MUCH for the bacteria to consume. This could also lead you to say that their is still room for growth...which will happen at the same rate (for all intents and purposes) at 0.25ppm or 5.0ppm......only difference is the amount of suffering for the fish! :(
 
No worries B, all feedback is welcome!

I understand your put. But in a case where there are absolutely no bacteria converting Nitrites to Nitrates (like beginning a fishless cycle in a new tank), do you think a higher level of Nitrites would cause that bacteria to "spawn" sooner than lower Nitrite levels?

Needless to say I'm doing water changes when I get home! (I'm currently at 2ppm Nitrites). You know, I used that Bio Spira stuff and loaded my 55 gal with about 14 small Tetras & Barbs about three weeks ago. Been measuring my water with the Master Test Kit daily and for the first 2 weeks I thought all was well (0 Amm, 0 Nitrites, 0-5 Nitrates) hey Bio Spira is great!, then Ammonia spiked one day and was back to zero the next (that was 2 days ago when I saw my first measurable Nitirites at 2ppm which is where I'm at today). I'm thinking either (a) the Bio Spira I had was bad or (b) there just wasn't enough Ammonia being added by the 14 small fish to keep the Bio Spira alive...Seems I'm fishy cycling now...Rats!
 
Bmeasure is correct. A lot of people think if they do water changes and reduce the amount of available ammonia or nitrites, the cycle will slow down. That isn't true. The fish are providing a constant source of ammonia, which also creates a constant source of nitrites. Even if you do water changes until your test kit reads zero, the bacteria still have a constant food source.

EDIT: We were posting at the same time :D

If you have access to a healthy, established tank, grabbing some filter squeezings or gravel from it may be just what you need. That will add the bacteria you need and should move things along a little quicker.

I'd be a bit concerned that things were fine for two weeks, then suddenly you had ammonia. If ammonia was going to be a problem, it should have showed up before two weeks I'd think. Could something have happened that may have disturbed your filter media? Did you dose for anything? Or do anything different?
 
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I also agree with harlock, do large waterchanges to keep the nitrItes low. I dont suggest using "bandages" but to keep the fish healthy you can add 2-3 table spoons of regular old table salt. Basically how nitrItes work is they take the place of oxygen in the fish's blood stream causing whats called "brown blood syndrome" and basically suffocates the fish. The salt and electrolytes it contains basically coat the fish's gills and promote the uptake of oxygen and help inhibit the uptake of nitrItes. This is why nitrItes are such a bad killer they will build up in a fish's blood stream and depending on how long the fish is exposed to the nitrItes and how much it has in its blood stream, that can play a major factor in whether the fish will recover even given a tank with zero nitrItes. Hope that wasnt too much info.

Basically add 2-3 tablespoons of salt for a 20g or up to a 100g tank and this will do what I described above. Just remember that the only way to remove the salt is waterchanges, it does not evaporate.
 
Ive done 40% water changes for 15 days in a row and they are still there in my 55, and i feed small amount once a day.
 
I believe your test readings may be faulty. It could be that you aren't following the direction exactly (it happens) or the test kit is bad (I'm speaking mostly about ammonia.)

A good idea would be to bring a water sample ASAP to your closest fish shop and get them to run the same tests. Some brands vary results a little, but I'm looking for major changes. I believe your ammonia should have spiked sooner (possibly converted by the Bio-Spira), and lasted at least 10 days or so. Up to 3 weeks isn't abnormal, but to suddenly have a spike and then go back to nothing is wierd! Your Nitrites may take several more weeks (maybe 3 or 4) to have sufficient bacteria to nullify.

In case your question still hasn't been answered (does higher nitrite cause production "jump-start" of bacteria?): NO. Also, be aware that even without adding any bacteria (using a sterile tank) bacteria (both types) will enter your tank anyways through the air (maybe because being on dust and skin flakes).
 
It actually sounds as if the BIO-Spira worked and cycled your tank. Spikes can occur for different reasons. Adding a fish, stirring up something from the substrate, something different occured to the biofilter. Also, keep in mind rotting food can start to give off ammonia as well, and I have seen folks on the board who overfeed and then weeks later see a bump in toxins. The lag time is due to the decay process. Plants can be a factor as well. If you lose a plant or do a major pruning or suffer a slight die-back you could very easily see a jump in ammonia and nitrites simply because a major chemical sponge has lost its ability to utilize what is in the water. In cases like these it's not uncommon at all to see the spike, and then for the biofilter to catch up, so to speak, just as if addng a fish. Anyway, it's really hard to guess, but the test kits may in fact be fine and the BIO-Spira might have worked perfectly and cycled your tank when you added it. This is likely a bump in the road but certainly worth monitoring closely.

Pick your brain a bit and see if the timing matches any changes in the tank, you're likely to remember something. ;)
 
Thanks all,

I appreciate all the suggestions / recommendations. I performed a 40% water change and shortly I'll perform another. Later I'll check the Nitrites and see if they've come down. I measured the Nitrites before the first water change today and they were still at 2ppm.

Cheers!
 
Stupid me did a fishy cycle!!! My nitrites were vry high when they first spiked and I had to do a 40% water change in the morning and a 30% change in the evening for about 4 days. Then for the next 4 weeks I was doing a 60% water change once a day. Finally I'm cycled. No nitrites for 4 days now. The tank has been set up 8 weeks tomorrow. Didn't think them nitrites would ever go away.
 
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