HELP! Nitrites!

[Bobo8]

Help! My poor opaline gourami just died!!! Just tested the water nitrate was probably around 40 and nitrite around .5 I haven't had nitrites for at least a year and a half. What's going on! My tank is fully planted and I don't have very many fish. I should probably be doing a water change more often but my plants to well at keeping the tank balanced. Where did the nitrite come from!

 

[Wroberson]

Check your temperature. The beneficial bacteria's reproduction is increased at temperatures over 86 degrees.

 

[Laser]

What is the tank size, filter type, and about how often were you doing water changes?

 

[bloodlucky]

What is your tank size? Do a larger weekly water change make sure any other fish in there go out and try to trace the source of why your water quality got bad so suddenly

 

[Bobo8]

It's a 36 gallon. I have an aqua clear 30, temperature is around 73, and I do a water change about once every 3 weeks. I test the water weekly and there aren't usually any nitrate until then and they are usually around 20 or 30

 

[jetajockey]

It's a 36 gallon. I have an aqua clear 30, temperature is around 73, and I do a water change about once every 3 weeks. I test the water weekly and there aren't usually any nitrate until then and they are usually around 20 or 30

What's your ph/hardness like? What did the fish die from? There's a few things that could send a tank into minicycle.

 

[vanimal]

It's a 36 gallon. I have an aqua clear 30, temperature is around 73, and I do a water change about once every 3 weeks. I test the water weekly and there aren't usually any nitrate until then and they are usually around 20 or 30

Maybe raise the temp a little more. You should be doing more water changes and if I were you I would add another filter.

 

[Bobo8]

But the nitrates are never up. I haven't had nitrites in 2 years.

 

[Bobo8]

The water here is very hard. But the fish are used to it. Ph is around 7

 

[insecurity]

Yikers bro- PWC more often. I have a 36g, and I do a PWC every week.

Also: I'm assuming tht you're using the API Master Freshwater Test Kit? Pro-tip from my sister who's doing an eco-toxicology course: before you put in your test solutions, agitate your water in the vial to oxygenate your water, which will yield more accurate results.

 

[Bobo8]

Yeah I should, I just didnt because everything was doing well, fish and plants.