sjlchgo

The nitrite levels in my tank have been rising and uncontrollable. The tank is about a month old. I am guessing that this might be the final stage of cycling since the ammonia levels have dropped. For the past 5 days the nitrite levels have been running anywhere from .50 -1.0(Deep purple), the ammonia has been 0 except for yesterday it was .25. I have done water changes each day(5 gals.) and yesterday I changed out 10 gals.. After the change I took another test and the nitrite levels were exactly the same! Tested again this morning Nitrites-(Purple)1.0, Ammonia-.25, Nitrates-10ppm. I have a planted tank, 3 swords and recently added some Hornwort. I have 2 filters running, Penguin 150 and an Aqua Tech (HOB) filter that is rated for a 5-15 gal tank. I only use the foam sponges in the filters, no carbon.

1.) How much water should I change? Daily?
2.) Should I be adding "Stress Zyme" each time?
3.) Does added aeration make any difference?
4.) Should I make any attempts to control the pH levels at this point? Now 7.2 and 7.4 on the high range test.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

sgould

1) 50% daily while your readings are high.
2) I would not bother with Stress Zyme. Most of those so-called bacterial
additives do not work. You should be using something to dechlorinate the
new water though. I like Prime.
3) Aeration is good. It will not really speed up your cycle, but has other
benefits for the tank (agitates surface for improved oxygenation of water)
4) No, your pH is at a very acceptable level. Trying to artificially manage pH
is an exercise in frustration, IMO, and is not necessary in most cases as
fish adapt to a wide range of PH levels with no trouble whatsoever.

armadillo

Hiya

Welcome to fishlore

I totally agree with Sean. You're in good hands here.

Something else, though. If you measure just after a water change, the test results will not be reliable. This is because the water will take hours before being evenly mixed between old and new water. I'd do your tests only before water changes.

So it could well be that you're were catching a majority of 'old' water when doing the test.

sjlchgo

Did another water change today. Readings this morning were:
Ammonia-.25
Nitrites-.25
Nitrates-10
I'm only feeding the fish what they'll eat as I drop it. The Tetra's seem to have a diminished appetite. Platies are eating just fine.

sgould

Sounds like you are on the right track. Until your ammonia and nitrite are at zero, keep up with your water changes and watch for warning signs like red gills and gasping at the surface. If you see either of those, do another 50% water change right away.

sjlchgo

Changed 10 gals yesterday(again) tested water this morning and same thing still
Ammonia-.25(really faint more like a .15)
Nitrites-.25
Nitrates-10
I've also noticed one of the platies "flashing"....scratching her gills on the rocks. Nothing constant, just every now and then.

armadillo

Flashing, gasping for air and red gills are all signs (and of other diseases, but I think we don't need to look any further in your case) of a water chemistry problem. Keep up with those water changes and you'll soon be out of this spell of odd behaviours.

MagpieTear

Should one wait a full day after a change to run the tests? I always test around an hour or so after a change, figuring that between the powerheads and the HOB, everything ought to be well mixed in that time. Or should I do the test the following day?

Sorry for the threadjack, but y'all made me curious...

sjlchgo

I always wait until the next day. I test the water right before I intend to change it. If it's ok..then no need to change, if not, get started! Since my water has been unstable I prepare my water the night before leaving a little room for me to add some warm water the next day. I let it sit for 1/2 an hour then get started with the water change.

sjlchgo

Finally after all this time.........took readings today and:
Nitrites-0
Ammonia-0
Nitrates-10
Yippeeeee
I just followed you guys advise and kept up the water changes(10 gals/daily) and things are looking up! Thanks again folks!