I converted my 10 gallon to a NPT about 10 days ago. About a week ago I managed to turn the filter off overnight, so had to do the planned transition rather faster than I wanted to. Still, all seemed well.
But lately, I'm getting nitrite readings in the water. Nothing higher than 0.25ppm, but still definitely there. There is no ammonia, and the nitrate is about 7ppm. The plants are growing, but I wouldn't say they have taken off yet.
The tank is planted with hygros, a sword, a crypt, java moss and duckweed. Current stocking is low compared to my earlier stocking of this tank (a betta, 4 white clouds, 4 small corys). One of the white clouds seems ill (she is swimming bent), and I don't know whether this is connected to the trace nitrite or to something else.
This morning, a few hours ago, I added an airstone to the tank, to see if this would help. Adding an airstone sorted out the problem with nitrite in my 5 gallon a few weeks back, but today, so far, it isnt making any difference. There is also a small powerhead/filter in the tank, with a cycled sponge in it. The filter is for circulation - it is rated for a 13 litre tank, so it shouldn't be providing significant biological filtration. I was hoping the plants would be doing that already.
Where is the nitrite coming from and what can I do, other than water changes, to stop it?
But lately, I'm getting nitrite readings in the water. Nothing higher than 0.25ppm, but still definitely there. There is no ammonia, and the nitrate is about 7ppm. The plants are growing, but I wouldn't say they have taken off yet.
The tank is planted with hygros, a sword, a crypt, java moss and duckweed. Current stocking is low compared to my earlier stocking of this tank (a betta, 4 white clouds, 4 small corys). One of the white clouds seems ill (she is swimming bent), and I don't know whether this is connected to the trace nitrite or to something else.
This morning, a few hours ago, I added an airstone to the tank, to see if this would help. Adding an airstone sorted out the problem with nitrite in my 5 gallon a few weeks back, but today, so far, it isnt making any difference. There is also a small powerhead/filter in the tank, with a cycled sponge in it. The filter is for circulation - it is rated for a 13 litre tank, so it shouldn't be providing significant biological filtration. I was hoping the plants would be doing that already.
Where is the nitrite coming from and what can I do, other than water changes, to stop it?