nitrites question

[janetdc1]

my tanks are about 9 weeks old now-
I have goldfish in a 30 gallon tank wintering over, I am using a 70 gallon power filter in there and I only feed them every other day-
I also have platys and mollys in a 30 gallon- also with a 70 gallon filter- Here is my question-
When I check the water -in both tanks, I get ammonia, 0, Nitrates, 0, and nitrites, .25- How can this be? I thought nitrates would surely be elevated slightly if my nitrites are elevated- or- that my ammonia levels would be slightly up- but I have checked them over and over and I get the same thing.
I don't know if I should let the tank try to biologically bring down the nitrites or if I should do something to bring it down with chemicals, or another water change-
any suggestions are appreciated!
so far the fishes are all happy but I know nitrites do harm.
thanks,
Janet

 

[Mgamer20o0]

test again..... you should have some nitrates. what kind of test kit are you using?

if your unsure about the water do a big water change.

 

[janetdc1]

nitrites...

what kind of test kit are you using?

if your unsure about the water do a big water change.[/QUOTE]
__________________________________________________________
I am using an "API freshwater master test kit" -
If I do a BIG water change, will that stress the fish out more? will it have to cycle again, or should the bio filter be well enough established that it should be okay.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

no clean water wont stress the fish. a water change wont mess with the cycle.

i would test again and follow the instructions to a T.

 

[janetdc1]

I'm on it-
thanks!
J

 

[janetdc1]

ummmm....(looking sheepish) I don't know what I did the first few times- other than rush through it all- but this time I took my time, tested again, followed the directions perfectly and got Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and the nitrate was just slightly darker than the 0 reading on the card but not near as dark as the 5 reading- so it must be pretty low-
ph is 7.4
so...I feel silly yet relieved!
Lesson learned: take my time testing!!!
Thanks!
Janet

 

[Mgamer20o0]

its ok even the best of us screw up...... i know i have many times.....

 

[Hooked Newbie]

:iagree: You should see the pretty colors when you mix up the Nitrate bottle 2 with the ammonia bottle 2 and don't notice til after the 5 minutes go by!

 

[southpaw]

Cant tell you how many times I have messed up by loosing count of how many drops I put in "now was that 9 or 10 drops??? " Then I have to pour it all out and start over.

I think API counts on us messing up is why they make it where it takes so many drops in certain tests...so you mess up and run out faster and have to buy more