Switched To Bigger Tank And Now Have Nitrite Issue

Good morning, I've been surfing the web getting all kind of different answers so I figured I would Join in a forum and hopefully get some experienced assistance. I recently switched from a 29 gallon peaceful community fist tank to a 55g. the way I did this was I setup the 55 gallon with new sand substrate, installed a new C360 canister filter and heater. I then took some of the gravel from the 29 gallon meshed bagged it and tossed it inside the 55g. and let it run for 2 days. then I checked the water and all seemed fine so I then proceeded to move the 55 quiet flow HOB filter without cleaning the media, all the décor and rocks to include air stone, and switched it from the 29 gallon to the 55 gallon and lastly moved all the fish. its been about 3 weeks and everything was running smooth until two days ago when I got a reading of 0 Ammonia, .25 nitrite and 0 nitrate.?? I did a 10% water change and used de chlorinizer that also detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, I tested he water 5 hours later and got 0 amonia, 0 nitrite, and slightly above 0 nitrate..... this morning I checked again and and its back to 0 Ammonia, .25 nitrite and 0 nitrate!! Please help... the quik resolve would had been to move them back to the 29 gallon but I have since turned that one into a semI aggressive thank....

55G with marineland 360 canister and quiet flow 55 HOB and heater set 78 degrees:
13 neons
1 pearl gourami
6 otos
6 mollys
2 platy
5 guppies

29g with quietflow 55 heater set at 78 degrees.
Opaline Gourami
redtail shark

10g HOB quiet flow 20
1 betta

 

It is very possible that you are just going through a delayed minI cycle. Before you started getting these readings did you have nitrates in this tank?

It is actually a good thing that your 29 was already restocked

 

I agree with mattgirl it appears you are having a minI cycle. You have moved to a larger tank with new substrate and canister - tossing in a bag from the old tank would provide seeding bacteria but it would take few days before the BB establishes in the media in the canister and substrate. If possible, add the filter pad from 29 gallon to the canister on 55g, that will speed the cycle up even more.
Until your cycle catches up, keep checking for water parameters regularly, anytime you see ammonia or nitrite creeping to about 1PPM, change water and doze prime which would neutralize the affect on the fishes.

 

ditto! I agree- minI cycle- keep an eye on it and do water changes.

don't go back to the 29! lol you'll be fine!

 

If you mean you took gravel from the smaller tank and put it in the canister of the new tank, that's your problem.

The gravel holds SOME bacteria, but NOTHING like the filter holds. Lots of people say you can jump start a cycle moving gravel over, but it doesn't really work. You can buy bottled bacteria and do the same thing. The only way your cycle won't be effected is if you keep the exact same bioload (fish) with the exact same cycled filter.

Keep watching the parameters and doing water changes.

 

thanks a lot! very helpful. Duane, I put the bagged gravel inside the tank itself,,,not the canister. I also moved the HOB with its media. I think my problem was the larger tank needed more BB than the HOB and gravel provided. that's why it worked at first but now it seems like it caught up. for now I guess ill continue to do water changes and I will get some prime today after work and use it as well. the prime shouldn't mess with the "cycle" should it? I don't want to trick the water and then end up in the same boat in a couple weeks again... also how long "estimate" will this minI cycle last? I it really frustrates me to see that .25 nitrite keep showing up..

It is very possible that you are just going through a delayed minI cycle. Before you started getting these readings did you have nitrates in this tank?

It is actually a good thing that your 29 was already restocked

it was 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and it was showing water color reading in betweem 0-.25 of nitrates. all until 2 days ago. =(

 

The prime doesn't remove the necessary ammonia. It just renders it less harmful to your fish. If ammonia is there it will still show up on the tests though. I both use and recommend Prime. It will not affect your cycle at all.

it was 0 0 nitrites and it was showing water color reading in betweem 0-.25 of nitrates. all until 2 days ago. =(

It does sound more and more like a minI cycle. Your bacteria should catch up quickly.

It is next to impossible to put a time as to how long this will take but it really shouldn't take long as long as you continue doing what you are doing. Please don't get antsy and start adding things to make it happen faster. I have read to many times what happens when one does that. Your cycle will catch up without adding anything other than Prime during water changes and when/if your ammonia/nitrites go too high.

 

I can't help you with adding chemicals like Prime, Ive never used any.

As for how long will it last, who knows. Adding a cycled filter to a bigger tank with the exact same fish shouldnt cause this issue. More water doesn't mean more ammonia or nitrites, only more fish. Keep your eyes on it and do water changes. It'll straighten itself out.

 

The prime doesn't remove the necessary ammonia. It just renders it less harmful to your fish. If ammonia is there it will still show up on the tests though. I both use and recommend Prime. It will not affect your cycle at all.

It does sound more and more like a minI cycle. Your bacteria should catch up quickly.

It is next to impossible to put a time as to how long this will take but it really shouldn't take long as long as you continue doing what you are doing. Please don't get antsy and start adding things to make it happen faster. I have read to many times what happens when one does that. You cycle will catch up without adding anything other than Prime during water changes and when/if your ammonia/nitrites go too high.

thanks.. also I forgot to ask if I should cut down on feeding or just keep it normal? I've read contradicting articles on the web.

 

Ok so when you moved some of your filter pads to your new tank without moving a source for the BB you killed your BB. It had nothing to eat so the BB slowly disappeared. and do you mean nitrates?

 

thanks.. also I forgot to ask if I should cut down on feeding or just keep it normal? I've read contradicting articles on the web.

I would just continue feeding the same amount you have been feeding as long as you haven't been overfeeding. I know it is easy to do because they always act like they are starving to death. Most of them will eat as long as you keep feeding but it isn't good for them. Just feed what you are sure they will eat in a few minutes.