Nitrites

Flex26

Flex26

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#1
Apr 21, 2003
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#1
My 20gal is still cycling. I have had a nitrite spike for a few weeks now (maybe a month?). My ammonia = 0. Nitrates = 10-20. I have been doing weekly 25% water changes for the past few weeks because I have fish in there. What is the story with my nitrites? Why won't they go down? Is there something I'm missing here? Is there anything I can do to get the nitrites to go down. I think I already know everyone's response (patience), I just want to see if there is something else.
 

Gomer

Gomer

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#3
Apr 25, 2003
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#3
yup. 30mL of Hagen Cycle all at once in my 29g turned the 5+ (off the scale) nitrites down to the 0.5-0.25 range in less than 48 hours. bought it on thursday late afternoon and tested this morning.

I am not sure about other brands, but Hagen's Cycle did it. Everyone who can get their hands on Marineland's BioSpira have had nothing but very good and rapid results...but that stuff is very hard to find.
 

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Flex26

Flex26

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Apr 21, 2003
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Yeah, Bio-Spira is hard to find. :( However, there is one place that I called said they had it but ran out. They said they should get more in the next couple weeks. It'll probably run out again before I get a chance to pick some up. :mad:
 

Flex26

Flex26

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Apr 21, 2003
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Originally posted by Jawz
Your bacteria isnt establishing enough to handle the nitrites, some problem in ur nitrogen cycle somewhere
Click to expand...
Hmm...what kind of problems would cause this? :confused: Why wouldn't the bacteria establishing enough to handle the nitrites? Is there something that inhibits the growth of the bacteria?

I guess I'll try some cycle.
 

Managuense

Managuense

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May 16, 2003
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#9
whoa! what kind of filtration are your using? your nitrite spike (nitrogen cycle problems) are likely due to improper biological filtration on your tank.


dumping chemicals into your tank is not really solving the long-term problem--with adequate filtration you will NEVER have to use these types of chemicals in the first place.
M
 

Flex26

Flex26

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Apr 21, 2003
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Originally posted by Managuense
whoa! what kind of filtration are your using? your nitrite spike (nitrogen cycle problems) are likely due to improper biological filtration on your tank.


dumping chemicals into your tank is not really solving the long-term problem--with adequate filtration you will NEVER have to use these types of chemicals in the first place.
M
Click to expand...
What do you mean by "improper biological filtration"? How do I get "proper" biological filtration? What would cause "improper" biological filtration. FYI - I have a Penguin 170 filter on my 20g.
 

Gomer

Gomer

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#11
Apr 25, 2003
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#11
I think you are missing the idea here. these are new tanks that do (or did) not have an established bacterial colony.

I agree that you should never have to use these....after the tank is completely cycled...but these tanks at hand are not cycled.

...or maybe I am missing it :)
I have a 29g running a Power Filter 30
 

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Somonas

Somonas

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#12
Oct 22, 2002
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#12
Originally posted by Flex26
Hmm...what kind of problems would cause this? :confused: Why wouldn't the bacteria establishing enough to handle the nitrites? Is there something that inhibits the growth of the bacteria?
I guess I'll try some cycle.
Click to expand...
Stop doing water changes for 2 weeks and I bet you'll see your nitrites go down... when you do a waterchange you are removing nitrite manually... we don't want this.. we want the bacteria to get it and grow...

and I wouldn't recommend cycle or bio spira, the cycle is already on it's way and almost complete... it just takes patience. that being said if your fish are exhibiting stress or the nitrites are over 5-10ppm, then go for it
 

Flex26

Flex26

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Apr 21, 2003
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Originally posted by Somonas
and I wouldn't recommend cycle or bio spira, the cycle is already on it's way and almost complete... it just takes patience. that being said if your fish are exhibiting stress or the nitrites are over 5-10ppm, then go for it
Click to expand...
I sorta figured it was the patience thing. I thought I was doing something wrong.

Nah, the fish are fine. I have zebra danios in there. They seem to enjoy the nitrites ;) . J/K

Oops. I already used the cycle. I saw that it worked for Gomer. I am hoping it works for me. If it doesn't the bottle was only $5.
 

lizwinz

lizwinz

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#17
Oct 22, 2002
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#17
if the cycle dosent work (im not holding my breath:)) try just taking some of the filter media you have in your other tanks squeeze it or rinse it out a little in a cup and pour into your new filter...it should contain some bacteria that should help get things going a bit

the nitrite stage always seems to take alot longer than it takes for the ammonia to zero out...but sounds like your almost done

--liz:)
 

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