Nitrite Spike

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9

95socalstang

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 9, 2006
210
1
0
Las Vegas
My 150 has been running for 2 months now and had been cycled for well over a month. 3 Days ago I noticed that my black aro was breathing weird so I checked everything and noticed that the nitrites had spiked. The only difference in the tank is that I took off a Fluval 404 that had been running and replaced it with a second FX5. All of the media from the 404 was transferred to the new FX5. The thing that I can think of is that I had a polishing pad in each of the filters that were after 4 days. This may have been constricting the flow over the bio media. Any other ideas why this would happen?

Eric
 
Polishing pads will slow things down, but if it's established it shouldn't be a problem.

Was the material from the old filter left out very long?

Sounds like it's trying to cycle again.

What's the ammonia #'s like?

Dr Joe

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Joe,
Everything was transferred straight from one to the other. No gaps in time.
Should I add another dose of Bio Spira go get things moving along since it seems like it is trying to recycle anyway?

Unfortunately my test kit is missing some of the chemicals to test so I will be purchasing a new one in about 25 minutes and I will test after work.

Eric
 
I added Bio Spira, Here is the test I did just this morning. I am slightly colorblind however everything looks good to me? One thing that I did think of was that my Fluval 404 had a bad impeller and I found it off around 2 weeks ago. I am not sure how long it was off for however the bacteria could have become anerobic. Could that possibly have been the cause? If so why did it get better with water changes?

Eric

All3.jpg

Ammonia.jpg

Nitrate.jpg

Nitrite.jpg
 
Cutting your filtration by half and then the possibility of the bad filter going anoxic and transfering it to the tank by capillary action could explain alot.

Doing W/C's cleared out alot of the poisons, lowering ammonia and nitrates etc.

I think I've got a color shift in my monitor, everything looks a little high. We may need a third party to read it :ROFL: .

Had a friend who did work in the oilfields out west (states). He complained alot but the pay wasn't too bad. Don't know about the winters tho!!!

Dr Joe

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I did another 50% change yesterday. Can the bacteria survive in the new filter? Would it be a good idea to just take that filter and run chlorine water through it to kill anything? I just don't want to be doing 50% changes every day! I'll have my girlfriend read the test when she get's home to rule out water issues.

Eric
 
If you clean the filter w/chlorinated water you will be starting over completely (recyling that filter).

What did the test read (did she see them yet)?

Test the water coming out of each filter, that may give a better clue as to performance.

Are the fish still coming to the surface for air or acting funny?

What are you treating your water with?

Dr Joe

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All of the fish in the tank are acting completely normal. The only fish that was acting weird was the aro who is now also back to normal. The test kit is a Aquarium Pharm kit that is brand new. My Gf went over the test and said everything was at it's lowest reading. I'm not really excited about killing the filter and everything seems to be ok now.

Eric
 
Happy to hear things are looking good.

Keep up with it, and check the filters individually every couple of months, it will give you a better idea of where you stand.

And a special thanks to your seeing eye gf. Thank goodness one of us can see clearly...:ROFL: .

Don't feel obligated to show her doing the tests...but...it would brighten up these pages :D .

Dr Joe

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