Nitrite problem.

[richardhmc]

Hey MFK! I have a 55 gallon tank with 2 plecos, 6 dempseys and 3 ebjds. ( seems like Im a broken record player saying over and over again lol)

I have a rena filstar xp2 and a hob ac 20/mini that used to be on my 10 gallon tank.

My problem is nitrites. My nitrates are lowish- almost gone and my nitrites are high! I tried to use an ammonia test strip but somethings wrong. I recently bought the ammonia test strips by API but whenever I dip it into the water, the color doesnt change at all! For some reason, it stays yellow, the color of it before it is put into water! Now, I KNOW i have ammonia because I overfed.

What can I do?? I made up a schedule of 10 gallons of water change every sunday, wednesday and friday.

Comments please Thank you.

- richard

 

[islander671]

Hey MFK! I have a 55 gallon tank with 2 plecos, 6 dempseys and 3 ebjds. ( seems like Im a broken record player saying over and over again lol)

I have a rena filstar xp2 and a hob ac 20/mini that used to be on my 10 gallon tank.

My problem is nitrites. My nitrates are lowish- almost gone and my nitrites are high! I tried to use an ammonia test strip but somethings wrong. I recently bought the ammonia test strips by API but whenever I dip it into the water, the color doesnt change at all! For some reason, it stays yellow, the color of it before it is put into water! Now, I KNOW i have ammonia because I overfed.

What can I do?? I made up a schedule of 10 gallons of water change every sunday, wednesday and friday.

Comments please Thank you.

- richard

How long has the tank been up and running? Are any of the inhabitants new? Sounds maybe like the tail end of a mini-cycle? or possibly your BB re-establishing.

 

[toehead11183]

i agree. let it fix itself. don't do anything unless the nitrite level is a danger to the fish.

 

[importracer]

Upgrade the xP2 to a xp3....Fill the top two compartments with crushed gravel....Do your regular 40% weekly water changes every weekend.....

 

[Chago09]

ummm I don't know why no one has mentioned that YOUR OVER STOCKED lol you have 2 plecos($hit factories) and 9!!!!! jack dempseys all in a 55 gallon. In my opinion 1 pleco and 2 JD would be a full stock with weekley 25% water changes. Your filters just cant keep up with all the waste

 

[HiGhTiMeZ]

ur kind of heavily stocked, i know they are still small but i suggest u upgrading ur filters those 2 u have wont be able to handle it... xp2 maybe ok at least change that aquaclear mini to aquaclear 70 or better... 150.

 

[richardhmc]

am i really that overstocked? its not like they are ridiculously cramped...

Okay, so ill leave the tank to see itself work out

 

[RadleyMiller]

1) ammonia test strips do not test for nitrite/nitrate
2) ammonia test strips must be submerged for 30 seconds before they will give you a reading
3) you should have nitrates
4) you should not have nitrite
5) add salt to help with nitrite burning
6) get rid of everything but the EBJDs