Hello everyone,
I started my 55 gallon freshwater tank a week before Christmas. I filled it from the tap, added some bacteria starter (Petsmart brand, can't remember specifcs) and let it run up until the big day when it was given (empty) as a gift.
I had the water tested at my LFS, was given the green light and introduced 5 Black Skirt Tetras. Every Friday, I've taken a water sample to my LFS, gotten good readings and introduced 3-4 fish at a time up to my current 8 Black Skirts, 8 Dwarf Neon Rainbows and 2 Swordtails.
Everything has been going great, the fish have looked active and happy and my readings have been good until 3 days ago, my LFS reading said my Nitrites were a little high (but still safe). I quickly did a 25% change and felt confident.
The next test said my Nitrites were still high (higher than last time) and so I did a 50% change.....
I've slowed my feedings, and vaccumed my sand substrate, and my levels were still high today. (My girlfriend had it tested while I'm at work so I didn't get exact #'s)
I'm scared for my fish, and want to do all I can to help them.
I'll purchase my own test kit tomorrow and do another water change, but what else can I do to protect my fish and prevent this Nitrite from hurting them?
I know I didn't cycle the best possible way and I know I could have introduced slower....but it was a X-mas gift for my daughter and everything seemed to be going perfect.
Please help with with any advice you have. Can I add any bacteria at this point that would help? What else can I do besides regulary test and change the water?
Thank you for your time!!
Sent from my SM-N900T using Aquarium Advice mobile app
I started my 55 gallon freshwater tank a week before Christmas. I filled it from the tap, added some bacteria starter (Petsmart brand, can't remember specifcs) and let it run up until the big day when it was given (empty) as a gift.
I had the water tested at my LFS, was given the green light and introduced 5 Black Skirt Tetras. Every Friday, I've taken a water sample to my LFS, gotten good readings and introduced 3-4 fish at a time up to my current 8 Black Skirts, 8 Dwarf Neon Rainbows and 2 Swordtails.
Everything has been going great, the fish have looked active and happy and my readings have been good until 3 days ago, my LFS reading said my Nitrites were a little high (but still safe). I quickly did a 25% change and felt confident.
The next test said my Nitrites were still high (higher than last time) and so I did a 50% change.....
I've slowed my feedings, and vaccumed my sand substrate, and my levels were still high today. (My girlfriend had it tested while I'm at work so I didn't get exact #'s)
I'm scared for my fish, and want to do all I can to help them.
I'll purchase my own test kit tomorrow and do another water change, but what else can I do to protect my fish and prevent this Nitrite from hurting them?
I know I didn't cycle the best possible way and I know I could have introduced slower....but it was a X-mas gift for my daughter and everything seemed to be going perfect.
Please help with with any advice you have. Can I add any bacteria at this point that would help? What else can I do besides regulary test and change the water?
Thank you for your time!!
Sent from my SM-N900T using Aquarium Advice mobile app