Please help. I have just put in a new filter. The one I had was too small for my size tank. I have just done a water testing and the nitrite level is at 2.0 DEADLY. Is this just due to the new filter or is it something more serious. How can i fix it. Please please help.
-
Axolotls are illegal in California. Please read this thread for detailed information and links to the actual laws: https://www.caudata.org/threads/axolotls-are-illegal-in-california-here-are-the-relevant-laws.30779/
-
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!
New filter or something more: deadly nitrite reading!
- Thread starter diannpf
- Start date
Kaysie
Site Contributor
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2003
- Messages
- 14,464
- Reaction score
- 110
- Points
- 0
- Location
- North Dakota
- Country
- United States
- Display Name
- Kaysie
Do a 30% water change, and then do another one in a few hours.
Be sure your test kit is accurate. What kind are you using?
Did you leave any of the old filter media in the tank? If you took out the old filter, and put in the new one without transferring any of the bacteria, you'll have a spike in nitrites and ammonia.
Be sure your test kit is accurate. What kind are you using?
Did you leave any of the old filter media in the tank? If you took out the old filter, and put in the new one without transferring any of the bacteria, you'll have a spike in nitrites and ammonia.
kapo
New member
Do you still have gravel in the tank or have you removed it?
Is this the first test you've done, I know earlier in the month your tank was in the early stages of cycling. How often have you been doing waterchanges?
Is this the first test you've done, I know earlier in the month your tank was in the early stages of cycling. How often have you been doing waterchanges?
I have been doing water changes every other day as i ahve been doing one ting or another. I have removed all the gravel and put in pebbles, then i removed them and put in sand. I didnt check the water after each change. Now i am going to do a 30 % water change and hope its ok. Just to double check about water change....i take out the 30% and just put tap water straight in right? Thats what i have been doing so i hope its right.
- Joined
- May 7, 2007
- Messages
- 5,262
- Reaction score
- 125
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Hatfield, England
- Country
- England
- Display Name
- Julia
have you used a dechlorinator with the tap water, or left it sitting overnight or more...its important to do this as the axolotls are sensitive to chlorine
kapo
New member
You do need to add the dechlorinater/water ager/water conditioner to the tap water as Bellabelloo says. If you're unable to do one overnight, as long as you leave it an hour before the waterchange in the same room, so it degasses and is about the same temperature.
I think your tank is still cycling, with that nitrite reading. What were your ammonia and nitrate readings?
I think your tank is still cycling, with that nitrite reading. What were your ammonia and nitrate readings?
Hello, my readings were: Ph: 7.0, Ammonia: 0.25, Nitritr: 2.0, and Nitrate: 10.
I have done the water change and the levels are still high. I have run out of water conditioner so is it ok to do a water change without it. Otto seems to be laying his head on the ground a bit today although he did eat so i am hoping that is a good sign. What else can i do.
I have done the water change and the levels are still high. I have run out of water conditioner so is it ok to do a water change without it. Otto seems to be laying his head on the ground a bit today although he did eat so i am hoping that is a good sign. What else can i do.
kapo
New member
No it's not okay to do it without dechlorinator- it may cause more harm than good. You need it for the waterchanges to remove any chlorine and chloramines from tapwater. Try and get a bottle tomorrow.
ok i have done the water changes with the water conditioner and because the nitrite levels are still way up i have put in some toxivec which is supposed to lower the ammonia and nitrite level instantly. No change as yet i will keep you posted.
kapo
New member
diannpf - stop using the toxivec. You just have to persevere with the daily partial waterchanges. It takes alot of time and patience, as mentioned before cycling can take up to 10.5 weeks.
By adding the toxivec to lower the ammonia/nitrite you are stuffing up the nitrogen cycling, which may in effect cause your tank to take longer to cycle. Those levels are normal in a cycling tank!
By adding the toxivec to lower the ammonia/nitrite you are stuffing up the nitrogen cycling, which may in effect cause your tank to take longer to cycle. Those levels are normal in a cycling tank!
Thanks Kapo...i should stop listening to fish shop people, they might work there but as i am finding out they dont know a lot. I will do a partial water change every day until it clears. I am so glad this forum is here you guys are so much help. Thanks 
- Joined
- May 7, 2007
- Messages
- 5,262
- Reaction score
- 125
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Hatfield, England
- Country
- England
- Display Name
- Julia
Hi , I went through a spell of having to do the daily water changes (20-30%) and its a little frustrating ..hoping that when I test the next day it'll have dropped, but no!, its feels like it goes on forever . Also there where the concerns on what damage I may have been doing to my pets, but it will sort its self out over a period of time. I never thaught I could be so excited when the reading dropped down!. I am still a tad nervous about the wate rquality and so i test twice weekly now and all has been well since.