tgrafx

We have a 10 gal. tank for a couple of months. Up until 2 1/2 weeks ago, everything seemed fine. Then all of a sudden the Nitrite and Nitrate levels started to go up. It has gotten to the point where the Nitrate levels are high and the Nitrite levels are in danger every day, so we do a partial water change, add aquarium salt and then in 24 hours they are back to where they were. Is there a reason for this? Is there anything we can do to stop this? Should we just not feed the fish for a couple of days or stop doing the water changes, etc? Thanks in advance.

Tonya

Lucy

Hi tgrafx, Welcome to FishLore.

It would help if we knew a little about your tank.
What test are you using? What are the parameters? What kind of fish do you have and how many? Have you added anything lately?

Sorry for all the questions, but your answers will help the people here help you.

Without knowing anything else, I would continue daily water changes until your nitrites decrease and your nitrates are stable at 5-10.

I don't know about aquarium salt, I'm sure someone else can help you with this.

Good Luck with your tank.

tgrafx

We are using the test strips that have 6 different things (I don't know the name) We have a betta, a couple of tetras, a couple of mollies, a couple of catfish/shark type, and one goldfish. When we added the goldfish is when the levels went up. We had live plants, but we took them out after the levels went up to try and figure out the reasons why.

susitna-flower

HI, WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

I agree with Lucy, we need more information. Are you using the API Master test kit? That is what most here use, it is reliable and lasts for months.....

What ARE the readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

If you are worried, the water changes help keep your fish safe, but if you are overstocked, overfeed, or over clean (believe it or not!) your tank can have toxic levels of the three above chemicals, making your fish sick.

How much are you changing in each water change, and do you vacuum the gravel?

I know it is hard to hear bad news, but is better to keep a healthy tank than one always having problems.

What fish do you currently have, and how many.

We wish you the very best for this tank, it is hard to keep a 10 gallon tank, small problems show up quickly. It is actually much easier to keep a tank around 55 gallons, and more you can do with it. Good Luck.

susitna-flower

OK, Do you remember the name of the "shark like cat fish", this will make a big difference.


Sounds like you are dealing with a couple of problems here.

#1 Gold fish shouldn't be kept with tropicals. One goldfish needs a tank of at least 20 gallons itself! They also need a different temperature range. They are HUGE waste producers!

#2 Bettas are not normally kept in a community tank. IT alone would be a good inhabitant for your 10 gallon tank. You could give it a good healthy home that way. If you continue to keep it in an unhealthy tank, its fins will start getting ragged, and fin rot will set in.

You could keep the tetras (all tetras need to be in a school of at least 6), mollys and catfish in one tank together, but depending on what the cats are it should be a tank of 30 + gallons.

If the mollys are a male and female, you will have fry soon, which will add to the load, and IF your cat fish are Corys, they should be in a group of 3 -5 minimum.....

These stocking recommendations are for fish health as well as they exhibit their natural behavior in the stated groupings. They have less stress, which keeps them happier and healthier.

Lucy

I think you've found the problem, your goldie is a huge waste producer and needs at the very, very minimum 10g (more like 20g) to himself.
That would explain your nitrite and nitrate spike. Did you test for ammonia? If not, I would bet that it is elevated also.
I have read that live plant can help keep your nitrates in check.

I would suggest you either take the goldfish back or move him to another tank.
Also, your tropicals need a heated tank, whereas your goldie does not.

Most here recommend the API master test kit. The strips have a reputation of being inaccurate.

tgrafx

Thank you for all the help. I was guessing that it is the godlfish also. I am going to move him and see if things get better. Should we stop doing water changes for a day to two to see if it lowers on it own?

Thanks!

Lucy

Nitrites are toxic to fish and nitrates that are too high are harmful also, so keep doing daily water changes until your levels are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and nitrate is 5-10. Then you can go back to weekly changes.

Good Luck