EMERGENCY! NITRITE SPIKE! HELP!!!!

[The Masked Shadow]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

.25

If yes, what is your nitrite?

1

If yes, what is your nitrate?

N/A

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

71-80%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

When I went on vacation, I teusted my old friend to take care of my fish. He fed 2 tbsp of food per day for my 4 Congo Tetras, even though I told him a SMALL pinch. Nevertheless, there is a nitrite spike. 3 ppm when I got there. I flipped, and have done 2 80-90% water changes. I do not have aquarium salt. So far, it is only 3 Congos who are breathing heavily, and floating at the top. Is there any way I can save him? I wont be able to fet meds till tomorrow afternoon. Plz help! He is my beloved Male.

 

[twentyleagues]

Water changes.

 

[kno4te]

Add some prime and get those water changes going.

 

[FJB]

No need to add salt for that.

 

[Rocksor]

Any sodium chloride salt (table salt is fine as well as pool salt) will help with nitrite poisoning, along with a water change. I like to have 2-3 levels of protection and not just rely on the water change. Adding 1 tablespoon of salt per 20 gallons of water will prevent up to 1ppm of nitrite poisoning in a day. So 3ppm of nitrite measured requires about 3 tablespoons of salt per 20 gallons.

Also, it is best not to feed your fish for a 1 week vacation. The only exception are fry. I never trust someone to feed my fish unless I am gone for more than 2 weeks. Then I hide the food and have pill containers for food to be fed. You need to make it easy for the person watching your fish.

 

[Gourami Swami]

For vacations, get the daily pill dispensers that people use for their medicine. Put the proper amount in each slot and have them just empty one per day. No guess work involved. Can't be too mad at your friend for not knowing what a small pinch is, if they are not a fishkeeper. Most people have no idea how to care for fish. Also rocksor is correct for a single week you don't need to feed them anyway.

 

[neutrino]

Water changes, as already mentioned. Especially if you have gravel, siphon dirt from substrate. Like Rocksor I never buy overpriced aquarium salt, I use canning salt. Salt is a well known aid for nitrite poisoning, so if your seeing symptoms like fast breathing I'd use it.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Unfortunately, I found my big male dead. He was stuck in the barrels. I have done 4 water changes of 80% in the last day. So probably around very little. I have school, so after I can put in table salt. Also, I realize this. My friend is very trustworthy, and I emphasized the SMALL PINCH!!!!! so much.

Buddy

 

[FJB]

Any sodium chloride salt (table salt is fine as well as pool salt) will help with nitrite poisoning, along with a water change.

Can you explain how this works? Thanks!

 

[Rocksor]

Also, I realize this. My friend is very trustworthy, and I emphasized the SMALL PINCH!!!!! so much.

No one doubted your friend. The mistake was not his. There have been enough threads on folks asking for tips on "fish sitting" (even in the past year).

The Masked Shadow’s Adventure/Vacationing Thread

Yeah, I got some people to feed my zoo

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

Sad thing is is that everything sunk, meaning she probably put her hand in the tank to give the tetras flakes. She also came once a day, if you can believe that! It was probably my fault for not giving her step by step by step instructions (I told her no more than a pinch for the tetras, but maybe I should've counted out each flake or something). I also said 5-7 pellets for Sparky.

If you're only going away for a few days there is no need to feed your fish at all, they'll be fine. The potential for disaster when leaving instruction for someone else to feed is very clear, as you've just discovered. You got away with it......this time!

Learn from this young man.

If you really need to get someone else to feed your fish when you are away I find the best way is to buy one of the pill boxes old people use with a compartment for each day. Pre load each day with the appropriate amount of food and you should be good to go away and relax.