Amonia and Nitrite Levels

**kaimarkhirst** · 04-03-2009, 12:39 PM

Hi,

Have been doing tests on the water after a small ammonia spike (max spike 1.2ppm) Which is now down to practically nothing at all (0.1) however the nitrite spike to 4.0, adn have been doing 40% water changes for the past 48 hours, adding salts to lower it to 1.0, but want to lower this to practically zero.

Tank is 100 gallon with a total of 36 fish in it. Has been fully cycled, however the filter sponge has been washed in tap water, and all the bateria and work thats been done has gone.
Have not lost any fish yet, and, they are all ok so far.

Will continue to do water changes for another week at least or so, but want to know how to decrease it with aquarium salts, or starter chemicals or so.

Any suggestions?

**Northernguy** · 04-03-2009, 12:54 PM

No chemicals are needed.Keep doing the water changes to remove ammonia and nitrites.You could get some Tetra Safe Start.It will help out your cycle.
Its a bacteria boost that works.

**Wiggs** · 04-03-2009, 12:56 PM

Adding Chemicals that claim to cycle your tank or eliminate toxins does more harm then good in most cases.

Continue with keeping a close eye on the parameters and keeping up with water changes as needed.

**Wild Turkey** · 04-03-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Wiggs

Adding Chemicals that claim to cycle your tank or eliminate toxins does more harm then good in most cases.

The chemicals that claim to lower harmful levels chemically are bull. Most of them just mess with readings, however, the bacteria cultures (which claim to cycle tanks) are well worth it if you are fish cycling (you are).

That being said, the tank isnt fully cycled, but will be soon when that nitrite is gone. Test it daily and water change it down to around 1.0ppm or below.

Dont add salt, the salt is just stressing the fish. If you want ensure a speedy nitrite/nitrate process, run an air stone.

**Wiggs** · 04-03-2009, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Wild Turkey

The chemicals that claim to lower harmful levels chemically are bull. Most of them just mess with readings, however, the bacteria cultures (which claim to cycle tanks) are well worth it if you are fish cycling (you are).

Which is why i said "claim" ;) didnt want him thinking he could just add that and have it easy...

**Wild Turkey** · 04-03-2009, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Wiggs

Which is why i said "claim" ;) didnt want him thinking he could just add that and have it easy...

I think you missed what i meant, im saying the statement was half true.

Bacteria cultures are harmless, and you cant overdose, so how could they do more harm than good, ever?
But, the chemical additives like ammo-lock, "cycle"(old kind), etc are mostly bull and usually do nothing or mess with readings.

**kaimarkhirst** · 04-03-2009, 01:13 PM

ok ok. No argiuing.

Correct in a re-cycling after the mess up with the filter.

Have taken the carbon out of the filter, and it is steadily reducing down to lower than 1.0, but ill keep on looking at this.

Ill be picking up some tetra start today, and am running 2 air stones 24 hours.

Any other suggestions??

Thanks ladies and gents

**Wild Turkey** · 04-03-2009, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by kaimarkhirst

ok ok. No argiuing.

Correct in a re-cycling afte rthe mess up with the filter.

Have taken the carbon out of the filter, and it is steadily reducing down to lower than 1.0, but ill keep on looking at this.

Ill be picking up some tetra start today, and am running 2 air stones 24 hours.

Any other suggestions??

Thanks ladies and gents

We arent arguing, just clarifying what we mean for the readers sake. :D

The only suggestion i have otherwise is leave out the carbon, and replace it with a media of your choice. Charcoal isnt worth running unless you change it out monthly and have some other type of media as well imo

**Northernguy** · 04-03-2009, 01:25 PM

Wiggs I don't use Amo lock or any other additive thats suppose to rid my tanks of toxins.I do like the Tetra Safe Start though. It is proven to work and has helped out quite a few members gain control of their cycle.
Don't knock it till you try it!

**Wiggs** · 04-03-2009, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Northernguy

Wiggs I don't use Amo lock or any other additive thats suppose to rid my tanks of toxins.I do like the Tetra Safe Start though. It is proven to work and has helped out quite a few members gain control of their cycle.
Don't knock it till you try it!

Oh no, I use the same thing.

I was meaning the products such as Turkey said, the ones that claim to make Ammonia and all that just "disappear".