Roan Art said:
Don't come to Iowa if you're trying to avoid nitrates in the tap water. Some times of the year it can go well above 10ppm. I haven't added nitrates to my planted tank for months.
Need Help with High Nitrite Levels
- Thread starter jlovelace1
- Start date
Don't come to Iowa if you're trying to avoid nitrates in the tap water. Some times of the year it can go well above 10ppm. I haven't added nitrates to my planted tank for months.
I see this go by periodically. That's an awful lot of salt. For my 30g that'd be more than a 1/2 cup of salt.rrkss said:
If you're concerned about nitrite toxicity , an eigth teaspoon per 10 gallons will block 2ppm worth of nitrite. A half teaspoon per 10 gallons would be more than plenty. For my 30g, waterchanges and a teaspoon of salt would do. 30 teaspoons would be serious overkill.
I'm in complete agreement on the waterchanges…
:dive2:
I don't think those EPA links are correct. RTR has posted several times that the EPA acceptable amount is 40ppm for nitrates. I haven't been able to find the same information, however, and that's something I'd want to add to my "AC Links Folder".
Maybe he can share the source link? RTR?
Roan
Maybe he can share the source link? RTR?
Roan
Wouldn't she be able to add a bacteria agent to the tank? I can't remember the exact name, but my LFS suggested a live strain of bacteria be added to my tank as I was setting it up.
I bought it off of someone, and made the mistake of not taking his gravel. The guy hadn't cleaned his tank in ages, and it showed. I thought fresh gravel would be just perfect, instead of the disgusting mess he had. BUT, I threw away all that active bacteria in the tank.
I didn't have a lot of time to cycle my tank, as I would have lost all the fish that also came with it. So I came to the conclusion (after loads of discussion) to add a bacteria strain to the tank.
It REALLY did the trick in my tank. Everything cycled quickly, and completely. I'm now doing partial water changes to get my nitrates level down. My tank was saved.
I would try to find a reputable (not Petco or Walmart) fish store, and talk with them about adding bacteria to the tank. The bacteria that I bought was liquid form, and was kept refridgerated.
Does anyone else have experience or knowledge about adding bacteria to your tank when starting off?
Joe
I bought it off of someone, and made the mistake of not taking his gravel. The guy hadn't cleaned his tank in ages, and it showed. I thought fresh gravel would be just perfect, instead of the disgusting mess he had. BUT, I threw away all that active bacteria in the tank.
I didn't have a lot of time to cycle my tank, as I would have lost all the fish that also came with it. So I came to the conclusion (after loads of discussion) to add a bacteria strain to the tank.
It REALLY did the trick in my tank. Everything cycled quickly, and completely. I'm now doing partial water changes to get my nitrates level down. My tank was saved.
I would try to find a reputable (not Petco or Walmart) fish store, and talk with them about adding bacteria to the tank. The bacteria that I bought was liquid form, and was kept refridgerated.
Does anyone else have experience or knowledge about adding bacteria to your tank when starting off?
Joe
The only product currently available that contains the correct FW bacteria is Bio Spira. Petsmart and places like that usually won't carry it because it needs refridgeration.
A lot of people are having trouble locating it close to them as many shops, for what ever reason, will not carry it. My local LFS carries it and I've cycled 13+ tanks with it. Some day I will actually count the tanks I've used it in and figure out how many times I used it to cycle, and how many times I've used it to dump in a big load of new fish.
It can be purchased on line at www.AquariumPlants.com, but you must have it shipped overnight.
Roan
A lot of people are having trouble locating it close to them as many shops, for what ever reason, will not carry it. My local LFS carries it and I've cycled 13+ tanks with it. Some day I will actually count the tanks I've used it in and figure out how many times I used it to cycle, and how many times I've used it to dump in a big load of new fish.
It can be purchased on line at www.AquariumPlants.com, but you must have it shipped overnight.
Roan
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Welcome to AC! This, indeed, is the absolute best community to help you with your tank and even the oldest members learn from everyone all the time! One thing I've learned when I had a similar issue (Nitrates over 10 after 10mos. of tank running) is that frequent water changes - I did 60
% daily - are the key to getting those nitrites down. I also did 1/4 gravel vacuums daily. Rrkss was so patient helping me through it and it took a good 7-8 days to get back down. Thankfully, I only lost one fish of 9. So, there is a light at the end of the Nitrite tunnel if you stay focused and help your fish through this. Good luck to you. Keep us posted!
% daily - are the key to getting those nitrites down. I also did 1/4 gravel vacuums daily. Rrkss was so patient helping me through it and it took a good 7-8 days to get back down. Thankfully, I only lost one fish of 9. So, there is a light at the end of the Nitrite tunnel if you stay focused and help your fish through this. Good luck to you. Keep us posted!
Learing so much already...just this thread alone!
I too am a newbie to the boards and to owning my new 10g.
I think I rushed into stocking the tank as it has been just over 30days and I have:
a pair of guppies
a pair of twin bar platys
3 rummy nose tetras
a quarter sized marbled angel
a small kuli loach
and a small albino cory cat
grand total: 10 fish in the first two weeks and for two weeks I have had no problems... I was told if the PH was kept at or slightly below 7.0-6.8 that Ammonia would not be an issue and to just buy a kit and check the Nitrites....
In 30 days I have cleaned the tank 2X changing 25-30%
kept the PH in the desired range and had no issues with nitrite...
UNTIL TODAY! it was deep purple and off the chart...i freaked out and can't even FIND the chart now! anyway..I changed 50% of the water and it is now a violet color which since I can't find the chart I don't know exactally what PPM that is, but I know it is a step in the right direction... I had to throw a half a tab of "tank buddies" ICK stuff in as my female guppy and platy show a tenny tiny amount of ICK on them.... I had the tank treated two weeks ago too as one of the rummy-nosed tetras showed signs too...
After reading this thread (thanks to all) i plan to do another 50% in 12 hours and recheck
Is another water change ok since I am trying to treat for ICK? I only administered half a fizzy tab as I understand the loach will not tolerate the full strenght treatment (right?)
BTW: I bought a small clump of moss (which came with a snail) and I now know I should not have been rinsing the fake plants and larger rocks with tap water...I had an alge bloom about two weeks ago....
Is this going to become a huge mess or am I ok to just keep up the 50% H2O changes every 12 hours?
and you guys are not talking about iodized table salt are you?
I too am a newbie to the boards and to owning my new 10g.
I think I rushed into stocking the tank as it has been just over 30days and I have:
a pair of guppies
a pair of twin bar platys
3 rummy nose tetras
a quarter sized marbled angel
a small kuli loach
and a small albino cory cat
grand total: 10 fish in the first two weeks and for two weeks I have had no problems... I was told if the PH was kept at or slightly below 7.0-6.8 that Ammonia would not be an issue and to just buy a kit and check the Nitrites....
In 30 days I have cleaned the tank 2X changing 25-30%
kept the PH in the desired range and had no issues with nitrite...
UNTIL TODAY! it was deep purple and off the chart...i freaked out and can't even FIND the chart now! anyway..I changed 50% of the water and it is now a violet color which since I can't find the chart I don't know exactally what PPM that is, but I know it is a step in the right direction... I had to throw a half a tab of "tank buddies" ICK stuff in as my female guppy and platy show a tenny tiny amount of ICK on them.... I had the tank treated two weeks ago too as one of the rummy-nosed tetras showed signs too...
After reading this thread (thanks to all) i plan to do another 50% in 12 hours and recheck
Is another water change ok since I am trying to treat for ICK? I only administered half a fizzy tab as I understand the loach will not tolerate the full strenght treatment (right?)
BTW: I bought a small clump of moss (which came with a snail) and I now know I should not have been rinsing the fake plants and larger rocks with tap water...I had an alge bloom about two weeks ago....
Is this going to become a huge mess or am I ok to just keep up the 50% H2O changes every 12 hours?
and you guys are not talking about iodized table salt are you?
Speede1,
So that we can keep things consistant and not confuse you with the original poster, would you please start your own thread?
Thanks!
Roan
PS
Yes, table salt. Iodonized or no, there's not enough iodine in the salt to harm your fish.
So that we can keep things consistant and not confuse you with the original poster, would you please start your own thread?
Thanks!
Roan
PS
Yes, table salt. Iodonized or no, there's not enough iodine in the salt to harm your fish.
Roan Art said:
That was the product I used. I thought I had the name right, but figured I'd rather not give out inaccurate information. Thanks for helping me remember what I used, Roan.
Bio Spira works like a dream. I had no idea it was that hard to get. My LFS had a well stocked fridge, and told me everything I needed to know about using it.
I guess the bacteria can be used to quickly cycle tanks, or in an emergency. Sounds like the original thread starter is in the latter category. If you can locate Bio Spira, I'd use it!
Joe
salt in the tank
how does the salt help the tank, i just started a tank and haven't added the salt. is it a necessity or a last resort. thanks
how does the salt help the tank, i just started a tank and haven't added the salt. is it a necessity or a last resort. thanks
