nitrite spike after adding fish

[seanbugeja]

hi guys, just added my fish and my nitrite went up from 0 to 0.05 and 0.1...is this acceptable? should i let the fish ride it out until it drops back again?

my ammonia reading are showing 0. ive stocked hardy fish (2 clownfish, 1 blenny, 2 bangai cardinal)

what should i do? fish seem fine.

thanks

 

[CStrickland]

Did you add all 5 fish at once to an empty tank?
How big is the tank?

 

[seanbugeja]

Yes at the same time.... Probably caused it... Should I water change urgently, waterchange tomorrow or let the system ride it out? Tank is 130 litre 35 gallons 0

 

[CStrickland]

Nitrite isn't that harmful, but the reading indicates that your bacteria is struggling to keep up with the waste your fish are producing. The bac need time to reproduce now that they have more food (ammonia). Adding fish slower would've let the bac catch up without exposing the fish to their own waste. It's confusing how we talk about tanks being "cycled" when really that just means they can handle a certain amount of ammonia, not all the ammonia.

Idk if a big waterchange would help or hurt more, it might stress the fish and they are going to keep producing ammonia anyway. 35 gallons is not a lot of water to dilute the toxins. If it were me I'd probably get some ammonia buffer like Seachem Prime and dose according to the instructions (both the amount to use and the frequency of redosing). Depending on which ammonia test you are using you might need a new one to give an accurate reading with the buffer in the water. Seachem makes a little stick-on badge for $5 that changes color for ammo. It's nice to have a constant check that you can just look at instead of taking a sample, and it's accurate when used with Prime.

That procedure will buy you time for the bacteria to catch up, they keep working on the ammonia while the Prime keeps it non-toxic to fish. Other might have diff opinions though, so you might want to wait for someone with more experience to chime in.
Good luck!

 

[gone fishin]

If your not picking up any ammonia, I think I would continue to just monitor for ammonia and the nitrite levels. Hopefully the nitrite will get converted fairly quick.

I would however have some water on hand to do a WC in the event the nitrite continues to rise.

I would not add any more livestock for at least 3-4 weeks to give the tank time to catch up. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[jstack]

I'd take 3 back in a 37 gallon and feed once every otherday with prime on hand thruout the day. you really are asking for a nitrate crash. go slow

 

[gone fishin]

What is a Nitrate crash? Algae may love some high nitrates but the fish really don't care.

 

[jstack]

What is a Nitrate crash? Algae may love some high nitrates but the fish really don't care.

just your typical white bloom in the water column

 

[Marchillo]

5 fish in this sized tank is pretty fully stocked. A lot of good advice above.

 

[seanbugeja]

thanks guys finally seems to have stabilised with no casualties...thanks a lot

 

[gone fishin]

Glad to see things worked themselves out.

 

[AndyNatMick]

Hi folk, I have a 20G QT, just fully cycled (without fish)....added 2 tiny Clowns and a small Orchid Dotty 36hrs ago....I have just recorded a slight NITRITE rise 0.05 on the colour chart. Fish have fed well and there are tiny flake fragments visible on the floor.....Ammonia 0, all other params stable; should I keep monitoring of plan for a water change?
Kindest

 

[mcgyvr]

Hi folk, I have a 20G QT, just fully cycled (without fish)....added 2 tiny Clowns and a small Orchid Dotty 36hrs ago....I have just recorded a slight NITRITE rise 0.05 on the colour chart. Fish have fed well and there are tiny flake fragments visible on the floor.....Ammonia 0, all other params stable; should I keep monitoring of plan for a water change?
Kindest

A water change wouldn't hurt and be careful not to overfeed..
A small pinch once a day of flake is all 3 fish will need..
There shouldn't be flake fragments left over..

 

[AndyNatMick]

Thank you so so much,,,,also, I have no idea how much to feed, the things seem ravenous and much away! Ok, will do a water change 10-20%, keep it clean and reduce the feeding, Thanks!