Nitrite Spikes

[Zac]

I changed my filter pad out a couple days ago and my tank has been spiking in nitrite levels. Originally I thought I was over feeding so I cut back on the food and did a thorough gravel vac and water change. My levels are still spiking. Not as high as initially, but still getting up in between the .25 and .5 range. I’ve been doing daily 20%-50% changes to keep it down. Was this due to the fact I swapped the filter pad? And will this go away soon assuming it was the filter pad?

[Patrick_G]

On 10/8/2021 at 1:52 PM, Zac said:

I changed my filter pad out a couple days ago and my tank has been spiking in nitrite levels. Originally I thought I was over feeding so I cut back on the food and did a thorough gravel vac and water change. My levels are still spiking. Not as high as initially, but still getting up in between the .25 and .5 range. I’ve been doing daily 20%-50% changes to keep it down. Was this due to the fact I swapped the filter pad? And will this go away soon assuming it was the filter pad?

The general consensus is that disposable filter pad are good for sales but bad for aquariums. If that was the only media in your filter then you lost a good portion of your bacteria when you changed it. Many of us use reuseable media such as ceramic rings or coarse sponge. You’re doing the right thing for now and your bacteria will catch up soon, but consider getting some coarse sponge filter media and a coarse sponge filter intake from Aquarium Coop. It’s a cheap upgrade that makes a big difference.

Edited October 8, 2021 by Patrick_G

[Patrick_G]

The products are sponge pad coarse and medium pre filter sponge 

Edited October 8, 2021 by Patrick_G

[Colu]

I agree with @Patrick_G but I would also add prime every 24hr to detoxify any nitrites

Edited October 8, 2021 by Colu