As people suggested in the previous post about our betta fish dying, we tested our water. Are any of these results raising red flags? They all seem semi-normal but everyone says it was something in the water that killed the fish.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1qo59bi
Posted by DotAlternative2306
5 Comments
Your tank isnt cycled fully. You have pretty high nitrites. They aren’t as deadly as ammonia but they can definitely kill a fish.
holy nitrites! ideally you want those at 0ppm
That nitrite reading completely explains what happened to your betta.
OP so I can better help others who interpret this test kit, would you mind sharing what made you think the nitrite was okay on the test?
Please don’t misconstrue intention, it’s difficult with written word to convey tone. I’m just curious how this conclusion was reached in the post question, are the guidance notes about test results inside the leaflet not clear or is the color change not obvious. Like I said I just want to understand, so I can better help people with similar queries.
I use this test kit and it’s super clear to me how to read it and the dangers associated with levels, but that doesn’t mean it’s clear to everyone and I’m keen to understand.
Thanks.
Sorry for the loss… hopefully you will continue FISHLESS cycling the tank from where it’s at. Here’s a great guide on fishless cycling: https://injaf.org/articles-guides/beginners-guides/the-nitrogen-cycle-and-the-fishless-cycle-getting-your-aquarium-ready-for-fish/
Your cycle is currently at the stage where the first group of beneficial bacteria seem to be established – the ones which convert ammonia into nitrites, but not the second group that process the nitrites into nitrates. This is why your ammonia is zero (or close to zero), your nitrites are high, and you only have a small amount of nitrates. Your continuation via FISHLESS cycling would be to keep feeding the first group of beneficial bacteria with ammonia at 2ppm, following the guide I linked. You may need to also do small partial water changes so as to not let nitrates get too high – it can stall the cycling process. The guide mentions the specifics.
Keep adding more beneficial bacteria boosters DAILY too, during cycling (especially after a water change) – Seachem Stability and Tetra safestart PLUS (specifically the Plus version I hear is more effective).