Tank cycling

[titanoboa100]

I tested my water with the API water drop test today:

High Range PH 8.2
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 3.0

I just had Ammonia tested yesterday and it was 0. My Nitrate and Nitrite levels have always been 0 up until now. What should I do? Why the sudden rise in these dangerous compounds?

[Flutter]

Wow, those levels are high. I think this situation would call for about a 90% water change.

Have you made any changes? Are all of the fish in that tank accounted for? Have you used any products in your house such as perfumes, antibacterial sprays, Windex, cleaning products, etc?

[bertie 83]

And how long has the tank been set up?

[titanoboa100]

My tank was first started in about March 16th 2012. I only have a single GSP in the 10 gallon tank. I had the ammonia levels down for a while. Is this nitrate and nitrite spike a sign of a cycled tank? I have been using the NITE-OUT II microbe chemical in the tank.

[Pufferpunk]

That product says it's for marine tanks. What's the SG?

[titanoboa100]

Sorry. What do you mean the SG?

[titanoboa100]

Do you guys sift through the aquarium gravel while doing a water change? I always make sure that I vacuums the gravel to catch any poop and food particles left in the gravel, is that the correct thing to do?

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, clean the poop put of the gravel. SG is
Specific gravity, a measurement of salt content.

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, clean the poop put of the gravel. SG is Specific Gravity, a measurement of salt content.

[titanoboa100]

I think my SG salinity is like 1.000.

[titanoboa100]

well would you recommend a 80% water change tonight? I can try and get my GSP a better bacterial supplement when I can get to the store.

[bertie 83]

If you can get tetra safestart or dr timms and tip it in your filter it may speed up the cycle. Sg 1.000 is f/w but worry about that once your water stabilises. Oh and use prime to dechlorinate it will make your water less harmful when it spikes.

[Pufferpunk]

Have you added any salt at all? What are you using to check the SG? The bacteria you have been adding is for marine tanks. Use Tetra's Safestart & add it to your filter, after a 90% WC. Hold off on the salt for now.

[titanoboa100]

I have been adding 2 table spoons of sea salt after every water change. Its mainly for the ICK treatment. I only have about a week to do with the ICK treatment. This would be my 2nd week treating the ICK. I have a glass hydrometer to measure salt.

[bertie 83]

That will not be enough to deal with ich efficiently. Does he have spots?