-pinky-

Every time i do a water change, i use a water conditioner to get rid of the ammonia and whatever, but just to make sure i'm doing it right i test the water about 10 minutes after a water change. The ammonia and pH are always correct, but the nitrite and nitrates is always extremely high. I read in the test kit instructions that it is common to see high levels of nitrite after a water change and this can also affect the nitrates, so i stopped panicking a little...however, after every water change my fish get really stressed, nipping each other and darting around like crazy...

Today i tested the water for nitrites and nitrates after i did a water change yesterday. Today the nitrite and nitrate are completely back to normal. This always happens! Now the fish are acting normal and they aren't nipping eachother or anything. My question is...how can i get the nitrates and nitrites back to normal straight after a water change, so that the fish don't get stressed at all. Are their any chemicals i can add to the water?

Please help, every time i do a water change the fish's fins are torn to shreds, then heal, then another water change, and they're torn again...its not fair on the fish, i want them to be happy all the time

cerianthus

WOW! Wacky!! Very Odd!!!
First possible cause: The product you use to dechlorinate may be the reason. Try one small water w/ ages tap water (Water sitting in bucket w/ aeration, add hot water to match temp before use) to see if you have high nitrite. If have same reults then it's not the dechlorinator. If no nitrite, try using different products to dechlorinate such as Novaqua or stresscoat. Read the label on the bottle and you can even e-mail them for specific answers. Sometimes the conditioner that neutralize Ammonia may distort the readings right after the use. If so, fish should not react to water changes. Odd!

2nd Possibility: You may be doing too big of water changes (try only 20-25%) at one time or as you add new water, you may be disturbing the gravel bed. Be gentle not to disturb the gravel.

3rd Possibility: Try not to disturb the filter at the same time or vacuum only the portion the gravel bed for each water changes.

Try eliminating each possible reasons and hopefully you can find the reasons.

Hope I was able to help you find the cause.

capekate

Hi Pinky
Have you tested your tap water alone yet? Its a good idea to see what that reading is and take it from there.

-pinky-

Well i have eliminated the second two possibilities because i measure exactly how much water i take out during a water change and i always pour the water back into the tank by using a siphon to slowly let in the water. Secondly, i make sure i don't disturb the filter. So the most likely reason is the water conditioner? I'll get some more, and measure the readings of nitrite after i change the water. I'll let you know if this helps!

capekate - no, i havn't checked the readings of my tapwater alone. I'll do it some time soon, and let you know, but i'm busy with things at the moment. Maybe tomorrow or the day after, sorry i can't be of more use, i really am tied up right now!

Angela_96

How many fish are in your tank and what type?
How high are the nitrates and nitrites?
When you do water changes you should wait 24 hours to recheck your chemistry, do the test before the waterchange.
If you have positive nitrites do a good 25% waterchange and repeat daily as needed for nitrites being high.
I would def check the tap water, if its neg than you will know that its your tank.
Also, are you vaccuming your tank once a week?

Do you rinse your filter w/ tank water every week?

Alessa

I have a question, do you change your filter pad at all?

If you do that could be the reason.