Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels rising in newer tank

Please help! I’m only 2 weeks into the fish hobby. I’ve had this tank for less than two weeks but everything has seemed fine until now.

This was a fish in cycle. When I set up the tank 12 days ago, I added prime, flourish, fritz zyme 7, plants and decor then let the tank run for a day before adding fish. I’ve probably done 4 water changes since I set up the tank. Water flow isn’t great but seems adequate.

I tested yesterday using test strips and saw nitrite levels around 3.0 so I did a 25% water change.

I tested again this morning with the strips and saw no change so I did a 50% water change.

Just after today’s water change, I tested with the API freshwater master kit and got the following.
Ammonia is about 0.25
Nitrite is about 0.25
Nitrate is about 5.0

This is my guppy fry tank. I had 11 fry in there (3-4 days old), put a mom in yesterday afternoon and woke up this morning to new fry. I also woke up to some of the fry being dead as well as one of the 3 shrimp that live in the tank. I can definitely see a couple bits of moldy food but they’re very hard to get to with all of the plants. I do my water changes with a gravel vacuum but I know I’m not getting much of the excess food out.

I guess I’m concerned because the strips are reading 3.0 for nitrite. Should I be concerned? What do I do?!?! Please help I don’t want them to die.

 

Strips aren't always so accurate as the master test kit, though they are good at letting you know the presence of things. Did you find the dead stuff before or after the testing today?

 

Please help! I’m only 2 weeks into the fish hobby. I’ve had this tank for less than two weeks but everything has seemed fine until now.

This was a fish in cycle. When I set up the tank 12 days ago, I added prime, flourish, fritz zyme 7, plants and decor then let the tank run for a day before adding fish. I’ve probably done 4 water changes since I set up the tank. Water flow isn’t great but seems adequate.

I tested yesterday using test strips and saw nitrite levels around 3.0 so I did a 25% water change.

I tested again this morning with the strips and saw no change so I did a 50% water change.

Just after today’s water change, I tested with the API freshwater master kit and got the following.
Ammonia is about 0.25
Nitrite is about 0.25
Nitrate is about 5.0

This is my guppy fry tank. I had 11 fry in there (3-4 days old), put a mom in yesterday afternoon and woke up this morning to new fry. I also woke up to some of the fry being dead as well as one of the 3 shrimp that live in the tank. I can definitely see a couple bits of moldy food but they’re very hard to get to with all of the plants. I do my water changes with a gravel vacuum but I know I’m not getting much of the excess food out.

I guess I’m concerned because the strips are reading 3.0 for nitrite. Should I be concerned? What do I do?!?! Please help I don’t want them to die.

You’re about 11 days into a fish-in cycle. The cycling process typically takes 4- 6 weeks.

Read this. . .
Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

As BigManAquatics suggested, you should really think about getting the API Master Test kit. The key to protecting your fish is to test daily and do water changes (maybe daily) to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

What size tank and what filter are you running?

 

Strips aren't always so accurate as the master test kit, though they are good at letting you know the presence of things. Did you find the dead stuff before or after the testing today?

I found the dead critter before testing. I think the dead fry may have been from the group that was born last night so maybe they just didn’t make it, but the shrimp have been in the tank for about a week.

 

I found the dead critter before testing. I think the dead fry may have been from the group that was born last night so maybe they just didn’t make it, but the shrimp have been in the tank for about a week.

Dead stuff certainly can contribute to higher levels.

 

You’re about 11 days into a fish-in cycle. The cycling process typically takes 4- 6 weeks.

Read this. . .
Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

As BigManAquatics suggested, you should really think about getting the API Master Test kit. The key to protecting your fish is to test daily and do water changes (maybe daily) to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

What size tank and what filter are you running?

I do have the master test kit and used it today after the test strips scared the h*ll out of me haha.

I will do daily water changes and tests but will the guppy fry be ok with that? How much water should I change daily?

Dead stuff certainly can contribute to higher levels.

Ok I watched the mom eat the dead fry before I removed her from the tank but I’ll be sure to take out the dead shrimp. Thank you!

 

I do have the master test kit and used it today after the test strips scared the h*ll out of me haha.

I will do daily water changes and tests but will the guppy fry be ok with that? How much water should I change daily?

I can’t guarantee the fry will be ok, but daily testing and water changes are the best we’ve got for fish-in cycles.

About how much water to change. . . Re-read my post above. To use a simple example, if your test shows 0.50 ppm ammonia and 0.50 ppm nitrites, you should do a 50% water change to get the combined level down to 0.50 ppm.

Basically, your test results will determine how much water you need to change.

Make sense?

If you’re not already using it, I’d recommend Seachem Prime as your water conditioner.

 

I can’t guarantee the fry will be ok, but daily testing and water changes are the best we’ve got for fish-in cycles.

About how much water to change. . . Re-read my post above. To use a simple example, if your test shows 0.50 ppm ammonia and 0.50 ppm nitrites, you should do a 50% water change to get the combined level down to 0.50 ppm.

Basically, your test results will determine how much water you need to change.

Make sense?

If you’re not already using it, I’d recommend Seachem Prime as your water conditioner.

Yes, thank you!

 

Yes, thank you!

Keep us posted. And come back here with questions.

I think you missed my tank size and filter question. I’d also suggest you test your pH level and post the result here.

 

Keep us posted. And come back here with questions.

I think you missed my tank size and filter question. I’d also suggest you test your pH level and post the result here.

imagitarium pro 3.7 gallon. Pre installed filter. pH is 7.6