The Puffer Forum

I don't think it would, unless a lot of juice got in there and overloaded the biofilter. You don't get that much juice in the worms. Go ahead and vacuum the gravel really well and see if anything turns up.

Ok so i changed the water 50% yesterday and after testing it today, here are the readings:
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 5

Im glad nitrite went back to 0. Im just confused on what caused it. Should I monitor this closely for the next few days?

Absolutely, I'd do it for a week.

LilGreenPuffer wrote:Absolutely, I'd do it for a week.

I will make sure i do that.
Should i check all three tests or just the nitrite?

If there is a chance that the bacteria that turns nitrite into nitrate was jeopardized, then the ammonia --> nitrite bacteria could have been too, so I'd keep an eye on ammonia too.

asianpuffer wrote:Ok so i changed the water 50% yesterday and after testing it today, here are the readings:
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 5

Im glad nitrite went back to 0. Im just confused on what caused it. Should I monitor this closely for the next few days?

Why do you think the nitrites actually went out of whack? You had one test show nitrite and then when you retested you ad normal readings. Seriously, Nitrite is one of the most fickle tests, if it's not preformed perfectly you can get messed up results. I don't think there was a thing wrong with your tank and you are getting all worried over a bad test result, but, what do I know, I've only been doing this for 20 years.

Dadof4 wrote:

asianpuffer wrote:Ok so i changed the water 50% yesterday and after testing it today, here are the readings:
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 5

Im glad nitrite went back to 0. Im just confused on what caused it. Should I monitor this closely for the next few days?

Why do you think the nitrites actually went out of whack? You had one test show nitrite and then when you retested you ad normal readings. Seriously, Nitrite is one of the most fickle tests, if it's not preformed perfectly you can get messed up results. I don't think there was a thing wrong with your tank and you are getting all worried over a bad test result, but, what do I know, I've only been doing this for 20 years.

So you think it was a bad test? I thought there was only one way to test for nitrite which is fill water to 5ml, 5 drops of nitrite and shake for 5 seconds and wait 5 mins.
I thought the different result in nitrite reading was because I did another 50% WC and did the test the following day.
I do appreciate your help and I still wish I knew why I got that .25 nitrite reading in the first place.

Nitrite test need to be shaken for the exact time stated and read immediately. If not they will show a skewed result. Nitrate is just as bad, everything has to be done right on time according to direction. I honestly don't think you had a nitrite problem to begin with.

Dadof4 wrote:Nitrite test need to be shaken for the exact time stated and read immediately. If not they will show a skewed result. Nitrate is just as bad, everything has to be done right on time according to direction. I honestly don't think you had a nitrite problem to begin with.

well i hope that is the case. I will continue to monitor it closley for the next few days. I guess what I can do is if again I get a bad reading, I will retest a second time to make sure.

Thanks!

Yeah, not trying to sound like an buttocks but that is the usual culprit and people panic based off of a single test. If you're having repeat tests like that then it's time to worry. Simple solution to the (usually) non-problem.

Does anyone think if cleaning the biomedia in the bucket of old tank water by shaking it will cause any issues?
If I needed to change the bag of bio media, will the sponge filter alone be enough until the new biobag establishes new colonies?

That's exactly how I do mine, you don't get rid of any of the god bacteria, just the schmutz that collects in them.