Nitrite in established tank. Need advice, quick.
- Thread starter zenseed75
- Start date
Just tested water again when I got home, its back up to .8. Has my tank started cycling again? I'm unable to find what could be causing my nitrites to be raised. I will do another water exchange tonight. I just hope I'm not removing too much of what I have thats good.
How long has the tank been set up?
How long with the current stock? Has anything been added recently?
How long with the current stock? Has anything been added recently?
there isn't much 'good' stuff in the water..most of the beneficial bacteria reside on surfaces in the tank and filter.
if you are showing high nitrites keep doing water changes to keep them in check.
ammonia gets converted to nitrite, nitrate converts to nitrate.
Your not fully cycled, all you can do is water changes until its at 0, maybe a week.
My tank has been up for 6 years, well a year since it had a complete take down and clean a year ago. Nothing new has been added.
My API kit is from Jan. 07 to March 07.
Just tested again. API says 0, JBL says .25. At leasts its on its downslide again but I'm noticing a trim. Its been low in the morning but when I get home from work its high.
Did a 10% water change last night but nitrates are still up there around 70. Grrrr. and, I'm pretty sure the power is going to go out today. Its like a hurricane outside. Just something else to add to my problems.
Does anyone else have problems distinguishing between 60 and 80 on the API nitrate Card?
My API kit is from Jan. 07 to March 07.
Just tested again. API says 0, JBL says .25. At leasts its on its downslide again but I'm noticing a trim. Its been low in the morning but when I get home from work its high.
Did a 10% water change last night but nitrates are still up there around 70. Grrrr. and, I'm pretty sure the power is going to go out today. Its like a hurricane outside. Just something else to add to my problems.
Does anyone else have problems distinguishing between 60 and 80 on the API nitrate Card?
Always shake the bottles well before use even if it does not say to do so. It makes the reading more accurate to the last test.
You might also have a defective kit. I had two nitrate API kits and they were 10ppm apart.
You might also have a defective kit. I had two nitrate API kits and they were 10ppm apart.
Ya you really have to shake the #2 bottle to get a good read. 60-80 yikes, Iv never been higher than 40
I wouldn't use any test kit after 12 months and our test gets are only so accurate to begin with. They can be quite variable on the margin of error since squeezing drops out isn't a reliable form of measurement.
I would keep up with water changes and stop using chemicals to solve the issue when you need to do more water changes and gravel vacs on a consistent basis.
I would keep up with water changes and stop using chemicals to solve the issue when you need to do more water changes and gravel vacs on a consistent basis.
