question about nitrite spike.

[Tivaala]

ok i just had a massive nitrite spike...not sure what happened.
1) tank was fishless cycled - jump started from established tank.
2) cycle finished, waited a little while to make sure - added fish.

heres the list of what i did wrong -
1) forgot to rinse the new gravel (shouldnt be major tho just a bit of dust)
2) added a few more fish than is ideal (had no choice, got dumped with a bunch in need of a home. split them between all tanks)

heres the list of other things that have happened -
1) added plants, bogwood and a rock (all from the tank the rehomed fish came from)
2) platy died giving birth. (was x amount of time until i found it, max of 15 hours)
3) started feeding brine shrimp for the fry/ expectant mothers.
4) been dosing for ick.

so ammonia is reading 0ppm but nitrites went immediately to dark pink 4ppm (i.e deadly change water).
everyone seems fine, just did a large water change and will continue to monitor it. just not sure what happened.
yesterdays test was 0ppm for both, nitrates were and are 5ppm. the only other thing i can think of is my tests are tablets not liquid and maybe one of them gave a misread.
any suggestions?

 

[Crepe]

Dosing for ich in a young tank can through off the biology of the tank. It should go down by itself with some water changes.

 

[Tivaala]

*breathes a sigh of relief* thank you, Crepe, il keep on with those and monitor closely.

 

[logansmomma1228]

One thing I have learned form this forum, if you are not sure, do a water change! The guy at the LFS told me , "Dilution is the solution for the pollution" lol.
As far as the issue, i am wondering if your tank possibly wasnt finished and the tablets were innacurate. I don't know the rap that type of test has but hopefully whatever is going on will stop soon. Good luck!

 

[Tivaala]

"Dilution is the solution for the pollution"

thats a good way to remember!