TheCzarista Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 (edited) Our tank is having a nitrite spike right now so we are treating with prime and doing water changes. What I am confused by is that after we do a 50% water change, they SAY it should lower your nitrite levels by 50% but we see no change at all. Is there something I am missing here? Levels look exactly the same before and after Edited June 21, 2021 by TheCzarista 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameCzar Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 We've had this same experience (or similar) with a couple of tanks now. Now we do keep smaller tanks, but even a 50% water change tends to barely make a difference in the best cases. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 check your source water 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 This seems odd. I'd check your tap water for nitrite. And try and check your test too. Is it reading the maximum? What if you check tank water in a cup and then do a 50% change with the cup and test again? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCzarista Posted June 21, 2021 Author Share Posted June 21, 2021 On 6/20/2021 at 8:28 PM, CT_ said: This seems odd. I'd check your tap water for nitrite. And try and check your test too. Is it reading the maximum? What if you check tank water in a cup and then do a 50% change with the cup and test again? We have tested the source water, which is our tap water, and it tests at 0 nitrite. Yes, the test strip is testing at maximum, can't get any pinker. We are very confused Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameCzar Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 We've also tried with Co-Op Strips and Tetra Strips and they are matching up on all parameters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 What does the liquid test say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCzarista Posted June 21, 2021 Author Share Posted June 21, 2021 On 6/20/2021 at 8:48 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: What does the liquid test say? We don't have the full kit, as we are just starting in the hobby. We rely on the coop strips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameCzar Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 On 6/20/2021 at 8:49 PM, TheCzarista said: We don't have the full kit, as we are just starting in the hobby. We rely on the coop strips And I've tested with tetra strips. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Ahh gotcha. I've seen threads here about unreliable strip tests. That's always a possiblity, but you've already tested your tap and tank water so maybe that's not the problem. I keep small tanks too and haven't exprienced this yet. It will be interesting to see what you two come up with! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitecloudDynasty Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 How long did you wait before you test again? I normally for a heavy water change to be on the safer side and test the water 12-24 hours later. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Are there fish in the tank? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 (edited) On 6/20/2021 at 6:30 PM, TheCzarista said: Yes, the test strip is testing at maximum, can't get any pinker. ah okay so all you know is > 10ppm or whatever. if its at 30 and you do a 50% change then you're at 15 and it would still read off the chart. I'd dilute 1 part tank water 3 parts tap water into a cup, measure that, and multiply the results by 4. if its still maxed out I'd dilute that mixture 1 part to 3 parts and try again, but hopfully its not that bad :O. Edited June 21, 2021 by CT_ clarity 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyjuliano Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 (edited) On 6/20/2021 at 9:57 PM, CT_ said: so all you know is > 10ppm or whatever. if its at 30 and you do a 50% change then you're at 15 and it would still read off the chart. This…. Well stated. Edited June 21, 2021 by tonyjuliano Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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