How long does..

[Ellen4God]

How long does it take for the nitrite level to go back down? My readings have been at three for almost a week now, with one day when they were at five. My other readings have also been consistently fine (0 ammonia, 20 nitrate). I'm just waiting on my nitrite to hit rock bottom so that I'll be able to get my otos. I was looking at them today at Petsmart, and I'm getting restless!! lol :18:

[Dave66]

How long does it take for the nitrite level to go back down? My readings have been at three for almost a week now, with one day when they were at five. My other readings have also been consistently fine (0 ammonia, 20 nitrate). I'm just waiting on my nitrite to hit rock bottom so that I'll be able to get my otos. I was looking at them today at Petsmart, and I'm getting restless!! lol :18:

It can take a couple weeks, but I wonder by what method you are measuring your nitrite.
By the way, 20 ppm nitrate will stress Otocinclus, and stressed Otos mean dead Otos. Get it below 10 ppm if you wish to keep them, and make sure they have proper foods available to them all the time.

Dave

[Ellen4God]

It can take a couple weeks, but I wonder by what method you are measuring your nitrite.
By the way, 20 ppm nitrate will stress Otocinclus, and stressed Otos mean dead Otos. Get it below 10 ppm if you wish to keep them, and make sure they have proper foods available to them all the time.

Dave

I'm using test strips by Jungle. I was told that the Petsmart in my area uses this as well, so I chose it over the other $30 kit.

How do you lower nitrate? Doing water changes? Or do I need to buy something to put into the water to lower it?

[!!!]

I'm using test strips by Jungle. I was told that the Petsmart in my area uses this as well, so I chose it over the other $30 kit.

How do you lower nitrate? Doing water changes? Or do I need to buy something to put into the water to lower it?
i dont think the test strips are as accurate as the master test kit (~$30 USD)
you lower nitrAte with water changes (best method)

i recently bought EasyBalance by Tetra that's supposed to reduce the nitrAte levels so that i only gotta do water changes every 6 months (i only got this stuff cause i'm going away to college and i know my parents wont remember to do any water changes for me for the 3 months i'll be away ...lol)

EDIT: i used to work at Petco and we did free water tests with those test strips but they aren't as accurate... we only used that instead of the master test kit cause it was cheaper and faster

[Ellen4God]

I'm trying to find a better deal on the internet for the Master Test Kit. I'll get one asap!

I've been doing water changes - 20% just about everyday. Do they need to be more, or will this work?

[Ellen4God]

Okay, I found a Master Test Kit on drsfostersmith.com for $20 (including shipping). I also found the python thing on this site, which is veeeeery tempting to get since it's on sale. Hmm....should I go with my addiction instinct and get both?

[!!!]

I'm trying to find a better deal on the internet for the Master Test Kit. I'll get one asap!

I've been doing water changes - 20% just about everyday. Do they need to be more, or will this work?
i'm no "expert" on tank cycling lol so i dunno how often u should do water changes ...but once it's cycled most people here say to change 25% once a week... but it really depends on how much fish u got

most ppl here recommend fishless cycling (which i never do cause its boring lol) so that u dont gotta do water changes and it cycles faster (water changes slow the cycle down) if you cycle with fish its best to have hardy fish like danios
Okay, I found a Master Test Kit on drsfostersmith.com for $20 (including shipping). I also found the python thing on this site, which is veeeeery tempting to get since it's on sale. Hmm....should I go with my addiction instinct and get both?
lol i gotta get that python thing... can u send the link to it from that site? thx! :D

[Ellen4God]

Well, I've talked with people here about the fishless cycle/fishie cycle and such, so I know that I'm doing it totally against the books, but I already had the fish. So, we're sticking it out for now. They're doing okay. They have their good days and their bad days, but are still kicking.

I was told that I was well on my way to being cycled, I was just wondering how much longer it should take. :) I got some used gravel from Petsmart today to stick in my tank to help boost the bacteria growth, which I forgot to mention earlier. I'm a little pumped about that. lol My fish seem to be congregating around the pantyhose I put the gravel in. It's their new hang-out spot apparently.

[Ellen4God]

Oh yes, for the python, just go to [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] and then click on "Fish Supplies" and then "25% off sale" on the left hand side, I think it is. It's in there somewhere!

[!!!]

Oh yes, for the python, just go to [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] and then click on "Fish Supplies" and then "25% off sale" on the left hand side, I think it is. It's in there somewhere!
found it, danke! :22:

[Lady Hobbs]

I'm using test strips by Jungle. I was told that the Petsmart in my area uses this as well, so I chose it over the other $30 kit.

How do you lower nitrate? Doing water changes? Or do I need to buy something to put into the water to lower it?

They probably use those because their tanks are already cycled and they just do random testing.

[Ellen4God]

They probably use those because their tanks are already cycled and they just do random testing.

That makes sense. I went ahead and ordered some tonight. It'll be here in about a week hopefully, maybe a little longer b/c of New Years. I'll just keep up my water changes and such, I reckon.