High Nitrites

twilk2012 · #1 02-29-2012, 10:29

I have a 60g tank that was set up on 12/26. I added fish a week later as I listened to advice from the lfs. Now my ammonia is at 0. Nitrites at 5ppm and Nitrates at 20ppm. I had been doing water changes with Prime and adding Stability to the tank. It has been weeks with high nitrites. Fish are okay. I lost some fish at the beginning but have 7 left that are doing well. I was told by another person at a different store that I should just leave the tank alone as I could be getting false readings. Is this possible and what should I do next? I am at a loss.
Thank you

Tech Support EH · #2 02-29-2012, 13:24

Hi twilk2012,

Thank you for your questions. Nitrites are quite toxic, even at very low levels; if your levels were indeed 5ppm, then most likely the remainder of your fish would not be doing so well. When using Prime, any ammonia, nitrites, and/or nitrates present are bound to the Prime and are therefore detoxified. However, when Prime is in the tank, you will see a false positive reading for nitrites and nitrates.

Because you have nitrates in the tank, we know that the tank has completed the nitrogen cycle. Have you continued using Prime, and if so, how often are you adding it to the tank?

twilk2012 · #3 03-01-2012, 12:30

I am still using Prime and Stability. Should I stop using them?

Tech Support EH · #4 03-01-2012, 12:37

At this point, you really only need to use Stability on a maintenance basis. For example, use it any time you change water, in order to replace any potentially-lost colonies of beneficial bacteria.

I would recommend possibly getting a second opinion on your nitrites. If your local store performs water tests, then I think it may be worth your time to take them a sample of your tank water and see what their nitrite kit registers. Until you know for sure that there are no nitrites in the tank, you should continue dosing Prime regularly, so that they are detoxified.

Good luck to you!

twilk2012 · #5 03-05-2012, 11:44

Could I possible have a false reading with my API test kit? Did water change yesterday morning with Prime. Today nitrites still very high. Nitrates at 10ppm and Ammonia 0.

Tech Support AN · #6 03-05-2012, 13:42

If there are nitrites present in the water, than they will certainly show up on the API test kit, even in the presence of Prime. Unfortunately, there is not a test kit on the market that will distinguish between the bound form of nitrites and the toxic form of nitrites. The best option you have is to continue adding Prime every other day until you are able to get a zero reading for nitrites. Just out of curiosity what type of biological media do you have in your filter?

twilk2012 · #7 03-05-2012, 14:03

I have a Marineland 350 with the bio-wheels

Tech Support AN · #8 03-05-2012, 14:37

Another reason that you may be dealing with high nitrites, is not enough biological surface area for the beneficial bacteria to colonize onto. We have a great media call Matrix, that is extremely porous and will house both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. As long as you have good pre-filters, the Matrix will never need to be replaced and will last the life of your aquarium. If you decide to implement the Matrix, I would do so in addition to the bio-wheels. You do not want to remove the bio-wheels all together, as this will remove all of your beneficial bacteria, potentially causing an ammonia spike. If you would like to read about the Matrix, follow the link below:

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Matrix.html

I hope this helps!

twilk2012 · #9 03-05-2012, 14:48

How do I use Matrix in the Marineland filter? There is an empty space behind the filter cartridges, is this where I put the Matrix and do I just put it in or do I need to put it in a mesh bag before putting it in the filter?

Tech Support AN · #10 03-05-2012, 15:02

As long as the empty space behind the cartridges receives water flow through it, than that will be a good spot for the Matrix. It is typically large enough that it does not need to be contained in a bag for most filter set ups, however, if you feel that it is small enough for a bag, I would recommend "The Bag", which fits all of our filter medias along with all others. Follow the link below to read more about The Bag:

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/TheBag.html