Nitrite spike...go figure

[LUVaLOACH]

OK Guys, as you know I had to upgrade to a new 20 gal and divided my overcrowded tanks. I have kept the amonia spike under control, however, as to be expected now I am having a nitrite spike. It's reading .50ppm AFTER a 10% water change. I have some stuff that is suppsed to neutralize it, however it said to dose and then test again and I did and it is still the same. What should I do. My dojo's are in there and I am gonna be so upset if I loose them.

Any suggestions would be wonderful

Thank you,
Krista

[YellowFinned]

Nitrite spikes can last much longer than ammonia spikes, and too much nitrite might suppress the bacteria that eat ammonia. Do a twenty five percent water change every day till you get the nitrite under control. Not sure what ‘stuff’ you are adding, but don’t think any chemicals will help, and might screw up in other ways. Nothing is better than clean oxygenated water.

Biological filtration is often under estimated. It should account for at least twenty percent of the total water volume. If this sounds like a lot, it is.

[LUVaLOACH]

Nitrite spikes can last much longer than ammonia spikes, and too much nitrite might suppress the bacteria that eat ammonia. Do a twenty five percent water change every day till you get the nitrite under control. Not sure what ‘stuff’ you are adding, but don’t think any chemicals will help, and might screw up in other ways. Nothing is better than clean oxygenated water.

Biological filtration is often under estimated. It should account for at least twenty percent of the total water volume. If this sounds like a lot, it is.

I just did a 10% change earlier tonight but I am off to do another 10-15 now. The stuff that was supposed to work has not. The fish are acting fine for now. I am adding Cycle to speed the process. I guess all I can do is contine the WC and the Cycle. If you know of anything better than Cycle please let me know, also I have been searching and read that adding AS will help, however, I have heard that dojo's can't tolerate it...does anyone know if this is true?

I appreciate any advise, and thank you so much,
Krista

[mikev]

1 Use PRIME by Seachem to detox nitrite. Dose based on the tank volume.

2 Cycle is nearly useless. If anything, use Bio-Spira.

3 If you cloned your tank properly, the nitrite spike *may* be simply an echo of the ammonia spike (your bacteria is ok, but too much nitrite produced for your bacteria to handle at once). In this case, it will disappear by itself within 1-2 days and adding more bacteria in any form will not speed up things.

hth

[LUVaLOACH]

1 Use PRIME by Seachem to detox nitrite. Dose based on the tank volume.

2 Cycle is nearly useless. If anything, use Bio-Spira.

3 If you cloned your tank properly, the nitrite spike *may* be simply an echo of the ammonia spike (your bacteria is ok, but too much nitrite produced for your bacteria to handle at once). In this case, it will disappear by itself within 1-2 days and adding more bacteria in any form will not speed up things.

hth

Well, I just used the last of my prime. I did the water change and it took it down from 50 to 25. I will get some more prime tomorrow and some bio-spira. I am just thankful the fish are acting ok, I would really be freaking out if they were acting abnormal. They are not breating heavily or acting funny in any way. Thank goodness, but we will see what tomorrow brings.

Thank you so much for you advise, it is appreciated.

Kris

[mikev]

You are very welcome, and good luck.

[mistergreen]

you might want to have really fast growing plants too. Plants love ammonia & nitrite. Duckweed, hornwort, java fern (not fast growing but a staple).. These plants aren't too picky with lighting & substrate.

[LUVaLOACH]

you might want to have really fast growing plants too. Plants love ammonia & nitrite. Duckweed, hornwort, java fern (not fast growing but a staple).. These plants aren't too picky with lighting & substrate.

Thanks so much, I will grab some when I am at the store picking up all this other stuff, ugh! I hope they will be ok, it is at a low level now so I am hopeful.

Thank you,
Krista

[mistergreen]

don't forget to give those plants and its roots a good rinse before putting it in your tank. Plant's can carry snails, and diseases. Check the tank where the plants are kept at the fish store for sick or dead fish. They shouldn't have fish in there at all actually but some stores put them in there anyway.

Some people put 1/12 part solution of bleach & water...
I don't have bleach and it freaks me out so I use a few tablespoons of aquarium salt in the rinse... And if you have a 3% solution of hydrgen peroxide laying around, put in a few cap full in the rinsing water.

just rinse for minute or 2.

[YellowFinned]

don't forget to give those plants and its roots a good rinse before putting it in your tank. Plant's can carry snails, and diseases.

Yes, once you have got MTS, you have got them forever.

[LUVaLOACH]

don't forget to give those plants and its roots a good rinse before putting it in your tank. Plant's can carry snails, and diseases. Check the tank where the plants are kept at the fish store for sick or dead fish. They shouldn't have fish in there at all actually but some stores put them in there anyway.

Some people put 1/12 part solution of bleach & water...
I don't have bleach and it freaks me out so I use a few tablespoons of aquarium salt in the rinse... And if you have a 3% solution of hydrgen peroxide laying around, put in a few cap full in the rinsing water.

just rinse for minute or 2.

Well, they made it through the night and still show not signs of stress, is this a good indicator that the levels may be low enough not to be lethal.

I am still not sure about the salt and the plants are going to be a new thing for me and may be a challenge due to my little diggers (dojo's) but I am up for giving it a try. Thanks for the pointers on the plants (snails), the last thing I need is another issue in on of these tanks. I have seriously thought of throwing in the towel, but just got into the loaches and love them so and what would I do with the fish I have now? Oh well, I am going to do what I can to get through this spike and perhaps things will level out.