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Hi all. I have a new 55g tank and have about 25 inches of fish in it (Danios, Barbs and rainbow sharks). The amonia has peaked and has now gone down to 0 but now, 4 weeks into the cycle, I have high nitrite and nitrate, both very high. I have done a 30% water change and changed the filter pads (I have a Penguin Biowheel 350) but I tested the water the next day and both nitrite and nitrate levels are still very high. I thought they would peak separately and not at the same time. Do I have too many fish in there? How can I help them? Should I do another water change or wait? If so, should it be 50%? More or less? The fish seem ok and aren't "breathing hard" though their appetite has gone down.

What type of test kit do you have & how old is it. Test strips are not that accurate. All test kits do have expiration dates and can give false readings so you may want to check that first.

Another option would be to take a sample of your water to your LFS and have them check it for you to confirm your readings.

Jim

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Thanks Jim. I'm using the Hagen Nutrafin nitrite and nitrate kits. The nitrite level is at 1.6mg/L. I find that it is difficult to distinguish between the 50 and the 110mg/L level reading for the nitrate but it is definately at least at 50. The expiration date is June 2009. I will have the water checked to confirm if things haven't changed by the weekend. Should I hazard another water change or should I wait?

Daphnis

When you changed the filter pads do you mean a complete change over? If so unless I am wrong you would have tossed out all your working bacteria. Or do you mean you washed the pads and if so did you wash them in the tank water you removed. Are you using any cycle product if so which one?

With the testing I would take a good sample with your test kit and get it tested with yours and their kit. I also would take a tap water sample with you as well.

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Keith

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daphnis,

Besides what Keith and Jim said, yes - do a large water change, 50% is good, if need be do it even daily for the time being. BUT - do not forget the dechlorinator for the new water.

As to what may have happened in your tank:

You are in the middle of a cylce, Ammonia has gone down and Nitrates up, that is where that value is coming from (all assuming your test kits are somewhat correct). The high nitrates I would attribute in particular to overfeeding. Can that be?

Keep us posted,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks Keith and Ingo.

Yes, I did change the filter pads replacing them with new ones because the nitrate was so high that I figured there was enough beneficial bacteria on the rollers of the biowheel and the driftwood in the tank. I tested the tap water and it has no trace of either nitrite or nitrate. I do plan to buy another kit today to compare.

As for overfeeding, Ingo, it might be quite possible since I left for one week and my mother was feeding the fish. Being a French-Canadian mother, she is somewhat generous in feeding "les petits", hehe. I haven't had an aquarium in a long time and have lost the instinct of how much to feed but am trying a trick where if they don't eat everything within 5 minutes, it is too much. Does that seem okay? I will be changing the water today and buying the new kit. Hopefully, the problem will be resolved soon. The fishies seem happy, were really hungry this morning, and aren't showing any symptoms of being affected by toxicity... as of yet.

One further question: this morning, to my great surprise, I found a tiny snail crawling up the inside front panel of my tank. I never put a snail in there. Could it have come from plants I bought? Weird. The tiger barbs think its food and push it around. Poor thing. Should I remove it or is a snail good for my tank?

You guys are great!! Thank you so much for all your help!

Daphnis

Could it have come from plants I bought? Weird. The tiger barbs think its food and push it around. Poor thing. Should I remove it or is a snail good for my tank?

For sure could the snail have come in on the plants, either as a small snail or as an egg.

I have no issues with snails that are in my tank, and they all came with plants. Some fish, like your barbs, appreciate the occasional life snack, if you don't mind it.

Snails become an issue once there are too many of them. This can happen in particular because of overfeeding. Then, given that they produce waste as well, your tank would be essentially overpopulated.

None of my tanks is at that stage, only once did the snail population in one of my tanks get close to be too large, and I simply crushed them .

Keep up frequent and larger water changes until your nitrites are gone. Also, make sure that your well meaning mother understands that overfeeding is actually not good for the fishies, in quite a few aspects

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The snail probably did come in with a plant. You can leave it in there if you like, it probably won't do any harm and will be helpful in cleaning the tank. However some people find them 'unsightly' and they will breed like mad if there is enough food to support them. You'll soon find your tank full of them.

It's up to you if you want to get rid of it or not.

I've discovered why the nitrite and nitrate both test high. This is because the nitrate test kits are designed to test water that is nitrite-free (ie: in established aquariums, not cycling ones). The nitrate test result is affected by the presence of nitrite and gives a false reading indicating that the concentration of nitrate is really high. I've decided to use only the nitrite test kit to determine whether my new aquarium has finished its cycle. Does anyone have another way to see when the cycling is done?

I have changed the water and the nitrite is slowly (I do mean SLOWLY) going down. As for the snail, it has disappeared. I think the tiger barbs ate it!

I have two large Severums coming to the tank soon. Should I wait until the nitrite level is completely at 0?

Thanks to everyone who have helped me so far!!

Daphnis

Tanks don't always cycle in a text book fashion. Your tank is cycling. Leave it as is and let it finish... If the nitrites get too high do a 10% water change. Also, I suggest removing the filter pad in the Bio Wheel as it contains activated charcoal and can be messing with the cycle.

You are correct, the (a)bac are on the wheel. I used one for years and gave me the cleanest water out of any filter I used.

Good Luck.
Patrick




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