adjusting no2, no3, nh3/nh4 lvles?

Question

i am in a bit of trouble/ wory. about 2 weaks ago i got a tank put water in it and some stabilzer got a filter and a uvb light and a turtle dock set it all up and went to the pet store and told them i just set up my tank can i buy 2 turtles they said yes so i got 2 of them, THEY DIDNT TELL ME I SHOULD HAVE HAD MY TANK GO THREW A CYCLE FIRST so now im a bit confused i have a very good external filter (xp3) i have about 40 gallons of water in the tank. i have a test kit fore amonia nitrate nitrite and ph my problem is scence the tank is just starting i cant ceep any one at a low lvl.. i managed to ceep the amonia at a 0 all the time now and ph is never a problem its my nitrate and nitrite im strugling with.. what i basicly nead to know is at what point on the scales should i do water changes i no every weak 50 prc water change but i can never get 1 full week without nitrate(no3) sky rockiting.. so whats the alowable nitrate lvl and nitrite lvl fore my red ear slider turtle

sory ran outa space i realy just want some help with how to deal with it with to turtles!!!!!
i nead to no the alowable amonia lvl (i know it should be at 0 all the time)

the alowable nitrate lvl

and the alowable nitrite lvl

pls and thanks

ok so u say nitrite is just as bad but whats the allowable lvl its at 1.0 right now i think the scale is in ppm (mg/l) or somthing but is 1.0 bad or ggggggrrrrrr i nead to know the alowable rates on all of them amonia/nitate/nitrite what is the max alowable to go on them!!!!!! pls help :(

i dont want to know that....... tell me whats the alowable numbers i can go fore my AMONIA NITRATE NITRITE pls

Answer 1

Nitrate is relatively harmless,don't be concerned about it until the rest of the cycle is complete. Here's how it should go---The turtles and their food create Ammonia,the Nitrosomonas bacteria (using oxygen) break it down in to Nitrite. Nitrite is as toxic as the Ammonia,but Nitrobacter comes to the rescue and breaks the Nitrate into Nitrate which is OK in small quantities. You have to have a LITTLE ammonia to get the bacteria colonies going,these bacteria are everywhere,so don't worry about adding cultures. The trick part is that the bacteria don't start to de-nitrify until they have formed colonies on solid surfaces,(the more porous,the better).This takes time. About 5 weeks for the entire process. The Nitrosomonas must first get a foot-hold and start to make Nitrites,(takes 2-3 weeks).Then the second group(Nitrobacter) start to grow(another 2-3 weeks).All of this requires a good oxygen supply,so aerate the tank well. Be careful to only add de-chlorinated water to the tank or you'll have to start over. Continue testing for ammonia,then in 2 or 3 weeks begin looking for Nitrites,you should see a "spike"(sharp increase followed by a quick decrease). When the Nitrites reach zero begin monitoring the Nitrates,and control them with water changes. Hope this overly simplified version of the Nitrogen Cycle is of some help. Oh yeah,you do know about light requirements for turtles,don't you? Good luck. ----PeeTee

Answer 2

Nitrates- below 40ppm, Ammonia- this should be in the instructions for the kit. Nitrites- also in the instructions for the kit.

I think you are getting overly paranoid about this. You don't say the turtle species, but most turtles are comfortable in a wide range of conditions, and your filter will catch up if it is a good one.

To help get things established, try:
- changing out water by suctioning off the bottom. Replace with de-chlorinated water (let the water sit for 24 hours before use t let chlorine evaporate.) Aim to replace about 5 gallons every few days.
- try using some of the packaged filter media starter to get a healthy micro-organism colony going in the biological part of your filter.

Your nitrates are jumping because the biological part of the filter is not working yet to help break down the ammonia. Give it some time. As long as the water does not smell there is not much to worry about.

They mention the XP3 in this article as well: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/filtration.htm#IV.)_Overview_of_Popular_Filter_Models_&_Strategies._

Answer 3

Haaaah That's Really Good LOL

Answer 4

change 25% of the water each week and add treated water to replace what you took out. i use a python sucker filter device to clean really good. but in a bout 2-3 weeks your tank will be perfect. but you should change the water regualarly like this anyway.