General Care Discussion :: nitrite level high

[blind44]

i got this paper stick with 5 individual square parts that turn color when i dip it in the aquarium and changes color giving me the results. nitrate level is arund 20-25. this thing doesnt test for amonia..just nitrate, nitrite, hardness alkalinity and ph.

[mat012]

Your Nitrate level is ok for now. Normally i try to do a 25-30% water change before they get to about 30-35.

If you only have a turtle in the tank then some nitrites are ok (they can be tolerated) though I would try to keep them in lower ranges - closer to 0 is better, dont let them get higher than I am assuming a "5" on your strip (50ppm). Again do a 50% water change if the levels creep up any. Also get an ammonia test kit. If it registers any ammonia (even low levels) do a partial water change. This wont hurt the cycle. I use and AP ammonia kit and I just change some water if it turns even a pale shade of green .

For the most part the rising nitrites are a good sign. It most likely means that you are on the way to well cycled tank. It should lower soon. I would still recommend a 50% water change - It wont hurt and it will lower the levels. I wouldnt use a chemical - I dont think you need it at this point. Though I have used a water clarifier for cloudiness. It just binds up small particle and makes it easier for the filter to remove them.

What you will see with the cycle is a rise in ammonia levels (it probably happened soon after you changed the biowheel). The bacteria will begin to convert the ammonia to nitrites (thats happening now), so you see your nitrites climb. Then your nitrite and ammonia levels will bottom out and you will have higher nitrate levels. This mean that bacteria are converting ammonia to nitrites and others are converting the nitrites to nitrates. Nitrate levels will continue to rise until a water change dilutes their levels.