we have had our tank for 10 weeks now and have approx 30 fish which have been introduced gradually. The tank holds 250 litres of water. We have tested for ammonia/ph/nitrate and everything has been fine, this week we tested for nitrite and had a reading of 2, we have done two 25% waterchanges and the reading has not altered, the fish seem fine and the other tests are negative, do we have a problem?
2007-10-26 09:19:54 · 9 answers · asked by malc 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
The nitrites will take more than 2 water changes before they lower.Increase the water changes,I would start changing 10% daily.2ppm should not be too bad for the fish that are in there now.You don't have too many fish,but with that many,once you get the nitrites back down to 0,I would start changing 25% of your water twice a week,making sure to clean the gavel thouroughly also.
2007-10-26 12:15:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably don't have too many fish,however the tank has not completed cycling. When cycling a tank with the fish in it,you walk a narrow path,there must be enough ammonia to feed the Nitrosomonas bacteria that consume the ammonia,but not so much that it harms the fish. Only after you have a sufficient colony of Nitrosomonas can the Nitrobacter colony begin, this is because they feed on Nitrites that are produced by the first colony. So again you are on the same narrow path, only with a different chemical and specie of bacteria.
Try to maintain the Nitrite levels at relatively safe amounts (by frequent testing and 20% to 25% water changes) until the Nitrobacter colony has time to grow,this may take several weeks. Reduce the number of feedings to once a day,and also reduce the amount that you are feeding. The fish won't starve, and you won't suffer a violent Nitrite spike. Also,don't add any more fish until this is resolved.
In the future you might look into 'fish-less cycling"it's actually quicker in the long run, and much less dangerous to your pets.
2007-10-26 10:02:12 · answer #2 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
a million. you will in many cases have ammonia or perhaps nitrites in the 1st week of beginning a sparkling aquarium. 2. If readings is 0 and you purely all started the tank then it potential the tank has not all started cycling, yet I doubt your buddy have 0 nitrate by way of fact there is in many cases some nitrate in the faucet water. 3. there is rather not lots you're able to do on the subject of the fish. only enable them to be and see in the event that they be waiting to stay to tell the story. i think of the tiger barbs will stay to tell the story, however the corydoras would possibly not. 4. only be advantageous you attempt the water many times and alter some water if the tiers get too extreme. 5. there's no reason to bathe the clear out, exceedingly while the aquarium is new. that is going to do away with the good micro organism if it had any in the 1st place. Depening on how long your buddy's tank has been working having 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite ought to indicate he has finished cycling the tank, yet he ought to have greater beneficial than 0 nitrate if that regulate into real. you need to get greater distinctive guidance to make advantageous.
2016-10-02 21:06:23 · answer #3 · answered by ghil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with PeeTee. It sounds like your tank has not completely cycled yet. The basic Nitrogen cycle is ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate. I would recommend frequent water changes. Also, if you have a friend with an established tank, add about a cup of his gravel to your tank to kick start your beneficial bacteria colonies. Keep an eye out for nitrates once your nitrites drop. Although they are not as harm full as ammonia and nitrites, they should be kept below 40.
2007-10-26 10:26:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES, WAY TO MANY FISH, in a tank tank that size i'd be suprised if you could have 20 fish, if your not going to get rid of any fish than you need to keep doing water changes every other day and go to your local pet store and try to find the chemical called CYCLE, that is the absoloute best thing that you could ever put in your tank
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it will positivley lower the nitrite!!! GOOD LUCK
2007-10-26 09:31:58 · answer #5 · answered by ActorBoy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
nitrite is ok at 2. it the nitrate you need to check. i have goldfish and my nitrate levels should be about 40 max. the other fish experts will advise you soon.
2007-10-26 09:24:10 · answer #6 · answered by heavymetalbitch 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
no but dont let the nitrite level get to high
2007-10-26 09:40:29 · answer #7 · answered by § Elijah § 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
pump more air in to the tank,but you are still in the safe zone so dont lose sleep over it.also dont be to quick to change water and when you do cyphon from the bottom of the tank.
2007-10-26 09:35:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
too many fish!
what had you got in the tank?
what type of filtration system do yu have?
2007-10-26 09:22:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋