high nitrite

[hybridtheoryd16]

WOW after reading and editting that 3 times it looks like hell.

If its hard to understand I will try again.

 

[nfored]

I took away that he was not saying that BB that could handle .5 could also handle 5ppm; more so he was saying that they are still growing and expanding because there is still food.

So as long as there is food they will still keep growing in size.

 

[KaiserSousay]

BB that could handle .5 could also handle 5ppm; more so he was saying that they are still growing and expanding because there is still food.

Simple isn`t it...if you have measurable ammonia your colony has not grown to the point where all available ammonia can be consumed by the existing colony, which means that colony will continue to grow.
Same goes for nitrites..
Fish or fishless the above holds true.

 

[kallmond]

To bring the thread back to topic.. yes. you should perform water changes until your amounts are back in check.

Too much ammonia and/or nitrite is bad for fish. The bacteria will come, keep your fish healthy.

 

[turtlepower]

on another note. Do water changes hurt the cycle much because of the new water having chlorine? I add prime 1/2 amount directly in tank before and 1/2 after. Does that really kill the chlorine before it kills bacteria?

 

[Toby_H]

I think what I am gathering from reading your post is that you are saying that a bacteria colony large enough to handle 1/2 or .5ppm daily NH3 would also have no problem with 5ppm daily. And I do not agree with that.

　
There was miscommunication somewhere... because I do not think that... and I agree with the reasons you listed why that is not true...
　
　

I took away that he was not saying that BB that could handle .5 could also handle 5ppm; more so he was saying that they are still growing and expanding because there is still food.
　
So as long as there is food they will still keep growing in size.

　
Yup!
　
　

on another note. Do water changes hurt the cycle much because of the new water having chlorine? I add prime 1/2 amount directly in tank before and 1/2 after. Does that really kill the chlorine before it kills bacteria?

　
Mild concentrations of Chlorine such as what is used in drinking water are not “instant death” to bacteria.
　
There have been ample discussions/debates about how to add water and dechlor to a tank safely. Many people take the ultra safe roads, but there are many many people (myself included) who add tap water directly to the aquarium and dose the aquarium with Prime.
　
My advice, do water changes to keep the ammonia & nitrite below 1 ppm…
I do not believe this will in any way “slow down” your cycle… and if I am wrong, it’s better that your cycle take an extra week or two than your fish be harmed by nitrite poisoning.

 

[NOLAGT]

I was in the same boat...had slight amn and high nitrites with fish. I added the proper amount of tetra safestart and 2 days later 0 on everything. This was a 90gal.