steveangela1

I had to work a 12 today at the hospital, so I am first thing in the morning! Doing a 50% change in the tank, The nitrates are between the colors of 0-5ppm on the API master kit, and the ph is 7.9 (we have african cichlids w/ crushed coral and limestone in the tank for the higher ph), the ammonia was -0-, and the fish are not symptomatic.

What should I consider a "panic" value for nitrites? I know you want to keep nitrates below 20ppm, ammonia at -0-, the ph alkiline for african cichlids that we have.... I know a trace of nitrite is not good but what is the OMG do a immediate change panic value? (I already know to do something immediately if the fish have red gills, look like they are having trouble breathing, etc).
I am a water change nut, and this is the highest the nitrites have been w/ fish in the tank.

My guppies before I never checked the water w/ test kits until a month ago and their nitrites are always 0.5 and below.

susitna-flower

Any ammonia or nitrite and I would do at least 25-50% water changes every day. It's hard when you have worked 12 hours! But your fish are lovely, and you don't want to have problems.

It shouldn't take your tank long to adjust to the new additions.

Gunnie

Also use Amquel plus as your water conditioner right now. It will neutralize the nitrites so they will be less stressful to your fish, but will still be available to your bacteria as it multiplies to catch up.

steveangela1

We acutally bought a water conditoner/treatment to put in the tank that we bought at our fav fish store (the Aquarium) it is their brand called Aqua Life Complete. They actually make it themselves and sell it in their store and online. (this is a very trusted store) anyways I was going to buy stress zyme, and start right and they said instead just buy their one product. They also said that the other brands i was going to buy lowered the acidity in the water (not good for african cichlids) and theirs boost alkialinity so we bought it. So far in my other tanks when I treated them their parameters are showing neg nitrites, 10 on nitrates, and 0 on ammonia, and normal ph for the specific tanks....

Gunnie

The reason I suggested the amquel plus is because it reduces the stress on your fish until you can get the nitrites down naturally. If that product you are using also neutralized nitrites, then that will work also.

steveangela1

Thanks, yes it does neutralize nitrites. I was actually impressed after a water change last night the nitrites are down to 0.25 right now. I did another water change this morning after checking the nitrites/ammonia/nitrate. the ammonia was 0, the nitrate was 5.