Length of nitrite spike, readings help please!

I have been doing water changes for a nitrite spike about 2 weeks now. NO CHANGE IN READINGS. Ammonia:0 nitrate:20. HELP. Aquariums are so frustrating. People are giving me wrong information, I don’t know what to do!!!

 

I have been doing water changes for a nitrite spike about 2 weeks now. NO CHANGE IN READINGS. Ammonia:0 nitrate:20. HELP. Aquariums are so frustrating. People are giving me wrong information, I don’t know what to do!!!

What is your nitrite test result? Fish-in cycle?

 

What is your nitrite test result? Fish-in cycle?

2-5ppm. I 40 percent water change, and it goes right back up in a matter of hours.

What is your nitrite test result? Fish-in cycle?

Yes. Fish in cycle.

 

2-5ppm. I 40 percent water change, and it goes right back up in a matter of hours.

Yes. Fish in cycle.

Is it possible that the nitrite level is actually above 5? So while your water changes are lowering it, it doesn’t appear to be the case according to the test result?

Can you post a picture of the test result?

 

Is it possible that the nitrite level is actually above 5? So while your water changes are lowering it, it doesn’t appear to be the case according to the test result?

Can you post a picture of the test result?

Whatever the case be. When will this spike go down?

 

Whatever the case be. When will this spike go down?

I don’t know enough to answer that. . . That’s why I’m asking questions.

 

I don’t know enough to answer that. . . That’s why I’m asking questions.

The nitrite test is at around 1ppm now because I did a water change this morning. But by tomorrow it will read around 2ppm. And continue to increase and increase from there.

Water changes are definitely lowering it but it just goes right back up because the ammonia is converting.

 

The nitrite test is at around 1ppm now because I did a water change this morning. But by tomorrow it will read around 2ppm. And continue to increase and increase from there.

I’d typically ask more questions, but I get the sense you’re tired of answering them. So here’s the best I can tell you. . .

Cycling a tank can be a lot of work and even frustrating at times. Testing daily and probably daily water changes to keep ammonia and nitrites at safe levels for your fish. There’s no way to avoid either of those things. When I’ve done fish-in cycles, I changed enough water to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites below 0.50 ppm.

A typical cycle usually takes 4 - 6 weeks.

 

I’d typically ask more questions, but I get the sense you’re tired of answering them. So here’s the best I can tell you. . .

Cycling a tank can be a lot of work and even frustrating at times. Testing daily and probably daily water changes to keep ammonia and nitrites at safe levels for your fish. There’s no way to avoid either of those things. When I’ve done fish-in cycles, I changed enough water to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites below 0.50 ppm.

A typical cycle usually takes 4 - 6 weeks.

Nitrite test as of this morning

What does this read?

 

Can you take a pic of it flat against the white part next to the colors?

 

Can you take a pic of it flat against the white part next to the colors?

Looks like it decreased from this morning. I didn’t do any water changes today. Maybe my nitrite spike is finally coming to an end!!

 

I would say .25-.50 range.

 

I would say .25-.50 range.

Hey. So my levels had been low for a couple days abd now all of a sudden we’re back above 5 ppm redish purple. I had to do another water change. I thought the cycle was coming to a close but it’s spiked again! I literally can’t anymore.

 

My nitrite spike took 5 straight days of 40% water changes to drop to zero. I tested each day and for 5 days the nitrites were high. when i tested on the 6th day the nitrites were zero so no water change needed. That is when I went to my weekly water changes.

A 2 week nitrite spike isn't unheard of. Are you seeing any ammonia? Are your nitrates gradually going up? If yes to both question then it is just a matter of time until you have enough nitrite eating bacteria to clear all of it out of there.

On the other hand I was helping a young lady. No matter what she did up to and including 100% water changes the nitrites spiked right back up off the chart over night. We finally determined it was a piece of decor causing it. Although both pieces she had in her tank were pieces designed and sold as aquarium decor once we removed them the nitrites were gone. Is that a possibility here?

 

Can you take the fish out and back to the store or something?

Its way less stressful as a fishless cycle. (For yourself and the fish)

The nitrite spike could go on for weeks and weeks. When they do drop they tend to just disappear overnight.

Until then you will have to do 50%+ water changes daily to keep the fish safe.

 

My nitrite spike took 5 straight days of 40% water changes to drop to zero. I tested each day and for 5 days the nitrites were high. when i tested on the 6th day the nitrites were zero so no water change needed. That is when I went to my weekly water changes.

A 2 week nitrite spike isn't unheard of. Are you seeing any ammonia? Are your nitrates gradually going up? If yes to both question then it is just a matter of time until you have enough nitrite eating bacteria to clear all of it out of there.

On the other hand I was helping a young lady. No matter what she did up to and including 100% water changes the nitrites spiked right back up off the chart over night. We finally determined it was a piece of decor causing it. Although both pieces she had in her tank were pieces designed and sold as aquarium decor once we removed them the nitrites were gone. Is that a possibility here?

Ammonia is at 0 but I haven’t been testing nitrate since I’ve been water changing. I’ll start doing that to see if the nitrite is converting period.

 

Ammonia is at 0 but I haven’t been testing nitrate since I’ve been water changing. I’ll start doing that to see if the nitrite is converting period.

When you run the nitrates test be sure you shake bottle #2 like your life depended on it. You want to break the sediment loose from the bottom of the bottle and mix it in well. If not then you will probably get a zero reading.