Nitrite levels

[Noodlesmom]

All of a sudden I’m getting slight nitrite levels even after a water change. What do I do?

 

[wolfen]

wait 24hrs after doing a water change before testing water as some dechlorinators can cause false/high readings, for example when the chlorine is removed from chloramine ammonia is left.
using pond bacteria (or any type of bottled nitrifying bacteria can help boost the filter after a water change)
what are your levels now.

 

[Noodlesmom]

wait 24hrs after doing a water change before testing water as some dechlorinators can cause false/high readings, for example when the chlorine is removed from chloramine ammonia is left.
using pong bacteria (or any type of bottled nitrifying bacteria can help boost the filter after a water change)
what are your levels now.

It’s been two, three days since I changed it. I got an airstone which my ammonia levels are back to 0 and staying there, my nitrate is 5.0ppm, ph is 7.6ppm and I’m constantly keeping my temp leveled. The nitrites aren’t even a full .25ppm but they’re definitely not 0ppm

 

[wolfen]

It’s been two, three days since I changed it. I got an airstone which my ammonia levels are back to 0 and staying there, my nitrate is 5.0ppm, ph is 7.6ppm and I’m constantly keeping my temp leveled. The nitrites aren’t even a full .25ppm but they’re definitely not 0ppm

does seem that the nitrifying bacteria is a bit slow to consume/convert to nitrates, 0.25ppm is within tolerant levels though but does require monitoring. how many times per week are you doing a water change and how much percentage are you removing.

 

[Noodlesmom]

does seem that the nitrifying bacteria is a bit slow to consume/convert to nitrates, 0.25ppm is within tolerant levels though but does require monitoring. how many times per week are you doing a water change and how much percentage are you removing.

I do it once a week, 25%. I’m always testing and monitoring the tank levels.

 

[wolfen]

I do it once a week, 25%. I’m always testing and monitoring the tank levels.

that's fine, just wondered with the nitrates being so low.
the bacteria should correct itself, sometimes ammonia and nitrites do spike especially after a water change, just make sure the water is dechlorinated before adding to the tank, letting the dechlorinated water sit for a while would be beneficial to ensure all chlorine is removed before adding to the tank.
if it keeps happening after water changes it might be worth while adding nitrifying bacteria, always ensure there is a air-stone in the tank as both the axolotl and filter bacteria require oxygenated water.

 

[JM29]

just make sure the water is dechlorinated before adding to the tank, letting the dechlorinated water sit for a while would be beneficial to ensure all chlorine is removed before adding to the tank.

Ok with the first part of the sentence,
but if you use a dechlorinator (sodium thiosulfate, sodium dithionite), then the chlorine is reducted in chlorid, which will stay in the water, so letting it sit is unuseful.

 

[wolfen]

Ok with the first part of the sentence,
but if you use a dechlorinator (sodium thiosulfate, sodium dithionite), then the chlorine is reducted in chlorid, which will stay in the water, so letting it sit is unuseful.

sodium thiosulphate reacts with chlorine neutralising it and producing either sodium hydrogen sulphate or sodium bisulphate, it also remove the chlorine from chloramine which leaves ammonia. because it takes time for any dechlorinater to work leaving it the sit for 30mins or longer will allow it to neutralise the majority of chloride, the filtration will deal with the trace ammonia.
sodium dithionite also reacts the same way as sodium thiosulphate.

 

[Noodlesmom]

that's fine, just wondered with the nitrates being so low.
the bacteria should correct itself, sometimes ammonia and nitrites do spike especially after a water change, just make sure the water is dechlorinated before adding to the tank, letting the dechlorinated water sit for a while would be beneficial to ensure all chlorine is removed before adding to the tank.
if it keeps happening after water changes it might be worth while adding nitrifying bacteria, always ensure there is a air-stone in the tank as both the axolotl and filter bacteria require oxygenated water.

I usually let the water that I add Prime water conditioner to dechlorinate sit for I would say 5 minutes. I’ll let it sit for longer. I know you’ve been the one to respond to my forums and so after you told me to get the airstone I did right away and maybe two days after having it in the tank the ammonia went back to 0 and had stayed there which I’m super happy about. Can you add the nitrifying bacteria to the tank with the axolotl?

 

[wolfen]

I usually let the water that I add Prime water conditioner to dechlorinate sit for I would say 5 minutes. I’ll let it sit for longer. I know you’ve been the one to respond to my forums and so after you told me to get the airstone I did right away and maybe two days after having it in the tank the ammonia went back to 0 and had stayed there which I’m super happy about. Can you add the nitrifying bacteria to the tank with the axolotl?

aerobic/nitrifying bacteria can be added to the tank or straight to the filter, it won't harm your axolotl.

 

[Noodlesmom]

aerobic/nitrifying bacteria can be added to the tank or straight to the filter, it won't harm your axolotl.

Oh okay, good. So when should I add it? Should I wait until I see the nitrite reach .25 ppm or don’t wait till it gets to that point and add it now?

 

[wolfen]

just add it about 2hrs after a water a change, or anytime the ammonia or nitrites spike, its a bit like having a safety net. the results aren't straight away but over a couple days they will get to work.

 

[wolfen]

Oh okay, good. So when should I add it? Should I wait until I see the nitrite reach .25 ppm or don’t wait till it gets to that point and add it now?

adding it straight away will be fine.

 

[Noodlesmom]

just add it about 2hrs after a water a change, or anytime the ammonia or nitrites spike, its a bit like having a safety net. the results aren't straight away but over a couple days they will get to work.

Okay great, I will. Thank you!