High Nitrite Levels!

HI guys, this is my first time actually posting on this site so bare with me! I noticed it was time to change my filter, when I went to change it I saw that the bigger filter needed changed as well so I changed both of them, a few hours after this is when I noticed that my nitrite and nitrate levels are high in my freshwater tank. I have tried a few different things now to get them lowered with little success. I have a 10 gallon tank with 5 serpae tetras and an emerald cory. The tank is about two or so months old. All other levels are fine in my tank except the nitrites and nitrates, I did a little research and decided to try a 30% water change, this didn't change the levels at all, I then decided to not feed my fish for a day(someone told me they would survive a day or two without food), this lowered the nitrites from 20ppm to 10ppm. I checked my water levels this morning and the nitrate has gone down but the nitrite is still at 10ppm. All my fish seem to be doing okay, my Emerald Cory gulps for air every so often but not more often then normal and my tetras are acting normal as well, I need help fixing my water before my fish get sick! Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

Changing the filters was the cause.

Are you familiar with the nitrogen cycle?

(I'm assuming nitrite is 1ppm and not 10ppm as I don't believe the nitrite test goes that high. But 1ppm is still very toxic. Unless you meant to say nitrAtes)

 

Changing the filters was the cause.

Are you familiar with the nitrogen cycle?

(I'm assuming nitrite is 1ppm and not 10ppm as I don't believe the nitrite test goes that high. But 1ppm is still very toxic)

I assumed it was changing the filters when I read that that can cause it, does that mean I just need to give the tank time to complete the cycle again? I just want to help my fish in the best way possible.

 

I assumed it was changing the filters when I read that that can cause it, does that mean I just need to give the tank time to complete the cycle again? I just want to help my fish in the best way possible.

Yes. You are starting all over again and doing a fish IN cycle.

If I were you I would do daily water changes using seachem prime as the dechlorinator as it detoxifies ammonia and nitrites 1ppm and under, for 24 hours. Once the cycle is completed you can switch to weekly water changes.

You could also add beneficial bacteria from a bottle to speed it up.

 

Yes. You are starting all over again and doing a fish IN cycle.

If I were you I would do daily water changes using seachem prime as the dechlorinator as it detoxifies ammonia and nitrites 1ppm and under, for 24 hours. Once the cycle is completed you can switch to weekly water changes.

You could also add beneficial bacteria from a bottle to speed it up.

Thank you so much for the help!

 

Thank you so much for the help!

No problem!
If you do decide to pick up some beneficial bacteria, make sure to get advice here first on how to use it properly. They are all a little different!!

Good luck! And welcome to fishlore!!

 

No problem!
If you do decide to pick up some beneficial bacteria, make sure to get advice here first on how to use it properly. They are all a little different!!

Good luck! And welcome to fishlore!!

I got the Tetra Safe Start Plus Aquarium Bacteria. Any advice on how to use it?

 

I got the Tetra Safe Start Plus Aquarium Bacteria. Any advice on how to use it?

I have never used it, but many people on here have. I suggest starting a thread for advice on how to properly use TSS+. I am pretty sure that is the one where you can't do water changes for 2 weeks. But I don't know for sure since I have never used it.

 

I have never used it, but many people on here have. I suggest starting a thread for advice on how to properly use TSS+. I am pretty sure that is the one where you can't do water changes for 2 weeks. But I don't know for sure since I have never used it.

Okay thanks!