The Puffer Forum

My tank is showing high levels of nitrite. I have a "Nitra-Zorb" bag in the water flow of my bio/power filter, treat with anti nitrite/nitrate/ammonia meds (as prescribed), and have aquarium salt (as well as the recommended "dosage" of marine salt for brackish conditions) and do frequent water changes. So far the fish seem fine. They are a very little bit lax, but I can't seem to get the damn Nitrite levels down (maybe I'm being too impatient). ANY advice is greatly appreciated in advance, and I am getting tired of nearly bi-daily water changes. Also, the GSP has what literally look like tiny TINY air bubbles on it's skin (not Ich/Ick), literally air bubbles. I recently added an air curtain for more oxygen, could that be the reason? I just don't understand why the "Air bubbles" adhere so well. As Garbage (the band) said, I think I'm paranoid... or am I concerned for good reason? Please advise. Thanks!

How long whave you had this tank set up? How was it cycled?

About two weeks with "Cycle" Meds. should I have used some fish to cycle? I actually set it up for my girlfriend for a birthday gift. So far two fish have fallen. (I have been so busy researching and medicating and all that). "New tank syndrome" pops into mind :/ it's been about 3 weeks so far. After reading the required info, I have one GSP, a violet Goby and an iridecent shark in a 14 gallon tank. Nitrite levels are at about 5.0 ppm mg/l (saltwater/brackish) and Nitrate is about 20 ppm. The GSP and other's really seem fine (swimming about in pleasure) but it's the numbers that worry me. They also have certain times of lethargy (about 10 min a day, maybe more since I only observe when home from work). I am almost certain my ignorance has gotten the best of me... I am trying very hard to make things better I am planning to do a MEGA tank upgrade (to maybe 100+ gallons) but only after I move (in about a month). Please, I know the tank is tiny for a GSP, I've read all about it and am going to give the little guy a "Mansion" soon lol.

I'm thinking New Tank Syndrome too. Read the Fishless Cycling article in our library. "Cycle" does nothing to cycle a tank. Alls it contains is dead bacteia & not even the right kind.

Then follow my sig, until you get them down to 0 for good.

I was thinking the same thing when I read this in your other thread.

Patience, and more patience, keep up the water changes, regular testing to check every thing's going okay... as the bacteria colonies build up you will see the the nitrite drop off and the nitrate will then spike, one big water change then and you're done, just keep up with the daily changes until this happens, and you should be fine

There are however a very few "live" bacteria cultures on the market that may be able to help, you would usually find these refrigerated on the shop counter, like PP said, products like cycle, contain dead bacteria which will be adding to your waste problem, not helping to solve it.

on the plus side, you'll end up with very strong arms at the end of all those BIG DAILY water changes....


Keep posting your readings and we can tell you how far along your cycle is....

Sounds like you're doing what's needed. I was going to say, "upgrade your tank!", but you beat me to it, lol. Until that tank is upgraded you'll have to do major water changes almost daily. I know that GSPs need large tanks, but I'm not sure on the exact size. Also, violet gobies, aka dragon goby, get to be about 15 inches in captivity. In the wild they get 24 inches.

For cycling, the only product that works is BIO-Spira, and only if it's be kept in the frige right up until it's put in the tank. But it instantly cycles the tank.

Thanks so much for the info guys! It is well appreciated.
These are my readings after a 50% water change today:
Nitrite - 4.5 ppm
Nitrate - 30 ppm
Ph - 7.8

At first my GSP (still nameless) seemed bothered when I would change the water. Now it seems to welcome it gladly, swimming happily afterwards. He eats vigorously as well. The ich is nearly non present now (after about 5 days of daily 1/2 treatments) and everything seems to be doing very well. It's just like I said, It is the numbers that bother me. I will be diligent with water changes. What's a good recommendation? I've been doing about 25% every other day, is it wise to go daily? Thanks again.

Yep, I just used bio spira because I killed my bacteria.. and like said in the previous post if it was handled correctly it still contains live bacteria. I had killed my bacteria through a mishap with my tank and my ammonia had risen up. While now I'm battling nitrites (and soon nitrates)..basically my tank is recycling... I'm doing daily water changes to keep the nitrites in a safer zone because the ammonia had gone up before I realized my bacteria was gone.. so the bio spira does work.

Haha... I just have to add... when I was having my issue with my big tank all that kept running through my head was PP's sig. And after enough dilution...they were all happy again

PufferGrrl wrote:Yep, I just used bio spira because I killed my bacteria.. and like said in the previous post if it was handled correctly it still contains live bacteria. I had killed my bacteria through a mishap with my tank and my ammonia had risen up. While now I'm battling nitrites (and soon nitrates)..basically my tank is recycling... I'm doing daily water changes to keep the nitrites in a safer zone because the ammonia had gone up before I realized my bacteria was gone.. so the bio spira does work.

I need to check that bio spira out, thank you! And I love PP's sig!

Today's results:

Nitrate: 20 ppm
Nitrite: 3.0 ppm (yay!)
Ph: 7.8

Yes! Nitrite levels are dropping! I took your advice and bought some Bio Spira, hopefully my Bio filter will be good to go soon. Thanks!!
(Sorry that I'm inadvertently "bumping" this post, just want to show my daily results.)

Awesome! It's too bad that it's expensive, but it works when you need it.

No kidding, it cost me 15 bucks for a tiny packet of the stuff :X lol

Wow....$15 is cheap. I paid $29.99 + $19.99 for shipping on a 3oz. package. I don't have a store near me that sells it.