Getting Nitrite Readings - Help Needed!

I have been cycling a 20 gal high tank and it was cycled today. Last night I added small bottle of Safe Start and today 0 nitrites, nitrate, ammonia. I have a Fluval filter that’s running and today I also added a foam filter on the bottom and 2 guppies, two cat fish and a snail. Tonight my Nitrates and ammonia are good and nitrites are the first purple color on the chart. I thought the addition of fish and new filter took me backwards. I added 4 tsp of safe start is there anything else I should do? Both guppies are ready to deliver and one had 1 fry last night, not sure if the other fry got eaten?

 

Firstly you don’t have to worry too much, this is common as you probably just didn’t entirely prepare your BioFilter for the fish you put in.

Keep up on frequent small water changes to assist the biofilter as it catches up

Also, don’t feed too much right away to avoid ammonia spikes and keep testing your water
You’ll be fine

 

just to add on to what jason tanner said, DON'T REPLACE THE FILTER MEDIA UNTIL YOUR TANK HAS BEEN CYCLED FOR A WHILE!!!

I see it all the time, people take out cartridges or replace sponge because they're dirty and then they wonder why all their fish died.

at your stage in the cycle, leaving the filtration alone is very important. and in my opinion, you should really wait until your tank has matured until you start replacing fouled mechanical filtration as that sponge/filter floss will hold a large chunk of your Beneficial bacteria.

 

Firstly you don’t have to worry too much, this is common as you probably just didn’t entirely prepare your BioFilter for the fish you put in.

Keep up on frequent small water changes to assist the biofilter as it catches up

Also, don’t feed too much right away to avoid ammonia spikes and keep testing your water
You’ll be fine

Thank you Jason, I was worried to death!

just to add on to what jason tanner said, DON'T REPLACE THE FILTER MEDIA UNTIL YOUR TANK HAS BEEN CYCLED FOR A WHILE!!!

I see it all the time, people take out cartridges or replace sponge because they're dirty and then they wonder why all their fish died.

at your stage in the cycle, leaving the filtration alone is very important. and in my opinion, you should really wait until your tank has matured until you start replacing fouled mechanical filtration as that sponge/filter floss will hold a large chunk of your Beneficial bacteria.

Hello and thank you for your comment. I didn’t replace the Fluval filter I just added a bottom sponge filter also. Should I take the sponge filter out until after it has been established longer? I want to use both filters.

 

Like Jason said, you added too many fish at one time for your cycle.

It should catch up in a few days-week.

In the meantime manage nitrites via water changes.

 

Like Jason said, you added too many fish at one time for your cycle.

It should catch up in a few days-week.

In the meantime manage nitrites via water changes.

Thank you! Checked them today, nitrites o, Nitrates just a little and ammonia good. I took out the foam filter on the bottom until things settle down this morning and going to do a 20% water change also. I appreciate all the help, water chemistry is difficult and frustrating sometimes. Oh I also took out the mystery snail for the time being don’t really need him just yet. All the 20 gal has is 2 Cory cats 2 guppies 1 new baby in breeder box so that should be good.

 

I have been cycling a 20 gal high tank and it was cycled today. Last night I added small bottle of Safe Start and today 0 nitrites, nitrate, ammonia. I have a Fluval filter that’s running and today I also added a foam filter on the bottom and 2 guppies, two cat fish and a snail. Tonight my Nitrates and ammonia are good and nitrites are the first purple color on the chart. I thought the addition of fish and new filter took me backwards. I added 4 tsp of safe start is there anything else I should do? Both guppies are ready to deliver and one had 1 fry last night, not sure if the other fry got eaten?

I am thinking from your description that you added a separate sponge filter to your tank meaning a sponge filter operated by attaching air line and air pump to a filter and not that you just added sponge to your original fluval filter.

If that is what you mean then it is a good thing and did not cause your nitrites to go up. Once a cycle has completed one should never see nitrites again. Instead of removing the sponge filter if it were me I would just stop adding the safe start.

Adding more bacteria in a bottle just adds confusion to the equation and could very well be why you started registering nitrites again.

You didn't add enough fish to have caused a minI cycle nor did adding the sponge filter cause it. The only thing left is the safe start.

I would put the sponge filter back in there, keep an eye on the perimeters and do water changes as necessary.

 

I am thinking from your description that you added a separate sponge filter to your tank meaning a sponge filter operated by attaching air line and air pump to a filter and not that you just added sponge to your original fluval filter.

If that is what you mean then it is a good thing and did not cause your nitrites to go up. Once a cycle has completed one should never see nitrites again. Instead of removing the sponge filter if it were me I would just stop adding the safe start.

Adding more bacteria in a bottle just adds confusion to the equation and could very well be why you started registering nitrites again.

You didn't add enough fish to have caused a minI cycle nor did adding the sponge filter cause it. The only thing left is the safe start.

I would put the sponge filter back in there, keep an eye on the perimeters and do water changes as necessary.

Thank you for your help. All is well now, I was a bit rattled because I wasn’t completely cycled and I needed that tank for my pregnant mothers. I am adding the sponge filter back in. I have Fluval filters and sponge filters also in my other two tanks and my water is Chrystal clear, love using both. The sponge has two purposes, airator and filter.

 

Thank you for your help. All is well now, I was a bit rattled because I wasn’t completely cycled and I needed that tank for my pregnant mothers. I am adding the sponge filter back in. I have Fluval filters and sponge filters also in my other two tanks and my water is Chrystal clear, love using both. The sponge has two purposes, airator and filter.

You are very welcome

I am happy to hear that all is well now. I was hoping that was the case.

In my humble opinion one can't have too much filtration. I run 2 HOB filters rated for up to 75 gallons each running on my 55 gallon tank and also have 2 dual sponge filters in there. You are right, the sponge filters do double duty so using them is a win win thing to do.

One other plus to adding extra sponge filters. You can always use them to instantly cycle another tank. As long as you have extra seeded sponges you NEVER have to go through a long drawn out cycling process again.

 

Another sponge filter fan.

One other thing, they are so easy to clean.

Just remove off of post, put in old tank water, squeeze 3Xs and replace. 15-20 seconds tops.

And fish and snails eat the microorganisms on them too.

Only downside is they take up space in the tank.

But my next tank, a 90, will have a canister, and a double sponge filter. That’s how the tank will cycle. Maybe 2 double sponges until the canister is seeded.