Look @ my nitrite reading..why??

[YLD]

I just checked my water and noticed that the nitrite went a little up. Why is that? I just did a pwc today but the readings are the same.
I changed the blue cartridge on my filter 2 wks ago buy I didn't touched the biowheel media. Also last week a fish died but I picked it up as soon as I saw it.
Oh and I got 2 new fishes in the last 2 wks.
Those are the only things I can think of. Can someone tell me whats the problem? Also how to fix or how long will it sty like that. Are my fish going to die??

 

[YLD]

Forgot the pic lol

 

[Bettababe1011]

Forgot the pic lol

Strips are very notorious for being inaccurate. I recommend the API master liquid test kit. It's very accurate.

 

[YLD]

Well I did this test 2 wks ago and the nitrite was white so there is a change.
Maybe I should go to the store and do a test there :/

 

[Bettababe1011]

Well I did this test 2 wks ago and the nitrite was white so there is a change.
Maybe I should go to the store and do a test there :/

I'd buy your own liquid. I prefer to see my results for myself. The petstore may say it's okay just to try to sell you a fish or something. They're a business, and will give bad advice most of the time.

I always say take what they say for a grain of salt until it's proven true.

 

[YLD]

haha that is true. Thanks!

 

[Bettababe1011]

No problem.

 

[ejaramillo01]

I just checked my water and noticed that the nitrite went a little up. Why is that? I just did a pwc today but the readings are the same.
I changed the blue cartridge on my filter 2 wks ago buy I didn't touched the biowheel media. Also last week a fish died but I picked it up as soon as I saw it.
Oh and I got 2 new fishes in the last 2 wks.
Those are the only things I can think of. Can someone tell me whats the problem? Also how to fix or how long will it sty like that. Are my fish going to die??

besides that I agree with bettababe about the strip test. I would like to ask you What kind of filter do you have? If is a HOB filter, a lot of the bacteria resides in the "blue cartridge"... So maybe when you changed you went to a mini cycle.

 

[YLD]

Yes it's a hob with a biowheel.
So if that's the case, how long is going to be in mini cycle? Do I have to do anything? I hope my fish don't start dying :S

 

[TraceyB4602]

Yes it's a hob with a biowheel.
So if that's the case, how long is going to be in mini cycle? Do I have to do anything? I hope my fish don't start dying :S

Just so you know you never have to change the filter media unless it is falling apart. I know the company said to change it every few weeks but they are just trying to get money out of you. If it needs a cleaning, use water that you have taken out from a PWC, smooch it around in there to get all the gunk out. That way the bacteria doesn't get harmed with all that chlorine that the tap water would cause.
: )

 

[YLD]

Yeah thanks I'm never going to do that again.
Now, do you know how long is a mini cycle? Do I need to do water changes or something?

 

[roydooms]

You'll need to do water changes to lower the ammonia and nitrite below 0.25ppm. You do this until the BB catches up and you'll have a reading of 0ppm ammonia and nitrite. Then the mini-cycle is over and your tank is cycled once again.

Edit: you'll depend on the ammonia and nitrite readings on how much water change you'll need to do. For example: if the result is 0.50ppm nitrite, you'll need to do a 50-60% PWC to lower it down to at least .25ppm.