Nitrite spike after filter maintenance.help!

[Marximus]

So did I filter maintenance 2 days ago, cleaned sponges and just swished them around in aquarium water and now I have a nitrite of .50 ammonia of .25 so did a 50% water change and double dose with prime and added stability since I have some inhand. Anything else I could do? i don’t want to lose my 5 baby rbps...

 

[tlindsey]

So did I filter maintenance 2 days ago, cleaned sponges and just swished them around in aquarium water and now I have a nitrite of .50 ammonia of .25 so did a 50% water change and double dose with prime and added stability since I have some inhand. Anything else I could do? i don’t want to lose my 5 baby rbps...

I normally would say skip a day or two of feeding but you have Redbelly Piranha. Feed lightly and keep monitoring the parameters if needed do partial water changes and parameters should stabilize.

 

[nzafi]

They also sell bacteria in a bottle that helps accelerate the creation of new bacteria that you can toss into the tank. It should help the acceleration of new bacteria. Also, did you test the water before the change to make sure this issue did not already exist?

 

[Polypterus_36]

Try adding established media from other aquariums to help with beneficial bacteria.

 

[Marximus]

The tank had 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and .20 nitrate before wc, my mistake was I had really dirty filter floss which I toss out and I think mot of the bacteria is in it.. I have another tank which has media but it’s a small filter so I can’t get much media.. at what level is nitrite really deadly?

 

[Marximus]

I normally would say skip a day or two of feeding but you have Redbelly Piranha. Feed lightly and keep monitoring the parameters if needed do partial water changes and parameters should stabilize.

Ok.. I fed them this morning so I guess I’ll skip evening since I feed them twice..they’re only 2-3” babies

 

[Rocksor]

Every species has a certain tolerance for nitrite, some are harmed by nitrite as low as 0.1ppm.


Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt (can be table salt) per 10g of water and add to the tank everyday until nitrites disappear. This will add an extra layer of protection against nitrite poisoning.

 

[Marximus]

Every species has a certain tolerance for nitrite, some are harmed by nitrite as low as 0.1ppm.


Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt (can be table salt) per 10g of water and add to the tank everyday until nitrites disappear. This will add an extra layer of protection against nitrite poisoning.

Thank u! i forgot i do have aquarium salt but never used it ill try it when i get home. do i have to remove the salt when things get settled? i never used salt before and i heard it doesnt evaporate.

 

[nzafi]

what filters are you running and what media do you have in them? Also what size is your name and how many 2-3in red bellies do you have in it?

 

[Rocksor]

Thank u! i forgot i do have aquarium salt but never used it ill try it when i get home. do i have to remove the salt when things get settled? i never used salt before and i heard it doesnt evaporate.

It will come out with regular water changes.