Nitrite At 0.05

Hello. 

Was just looking for some advice please.  I've just upgraded to a 250 litre tank from a 125 litres.  I used every bit of media from my filter well it was the same filter as it supports my new tank.  I used all the same wood etc just used new sand as lfs said too.  I used all of old water and added new water and prime. I did think I'll prob loose bit of bacteria with 50% extra water and loosing  old sand.

MY ammonia is 0.05 but my nitrite is showing 0.05.  So do I just let if ride itself through or should I do anything to bring it down.  I have got purigen in and polyfilter. Ive read tonic salts is good for lowering nitrites but confusses me to hell on how much to put in when looking it up on the Internet.  My pot just says teaspoons per litre.  Also have read extra purigen can help with lowering nitrites to. 

The fish do seem OK and non gasping etc but you do worry what it's doing to them.  I was worried about doing a water change as it's just had 50% of fresh water added on weds when set it up.  Also wanting to give filter a clean as its been 2 weeks but worried as don't want to loose more bacteria

What do people think I should do please.  Thank you

Maria 

As @Paddyc says, water changes are very important, and increasing their frequency and size should help get and maintain ammonia and nitrite at 0, the level required for them to be non-toxic. The water itself harbours next-to-none of the beneficial bacteria, so that's not important to have when transferring fish to a new tank. The best course of action to do now is daily water changes, with the Seachem Prime added each time and which will detoxify the ammonia and nitrite for the next 24 hours (and therefore until the next water change).

I would avoid the tonic salts - while salt can be helpful for some species of fish when ill (eg goldfish), many fish do not tolerate salt at all, so best avoided. What species of fish do you have? I also don't think it's necessary to use the Purigen.

I would definitely avoid changing the filter media - it should only need to be changed when it's falling apart (not what the packaging says), and, even then, should be done in small increments at a time (no more 1/3 in any one month) to avoid subjecting the fish to a partial/full fish-in cycle. A gentle squeeze in removed tank water is all that is required when it's saturated with debris.

Hope that helps. 

Hope u can see the attached photo. My fishes look lost in there lol... 😂

Awesome wood/plant arrangement. 

Really liking your setup, great pics!

I'd leave all your filter media alone for now til everything balances out. Arguably you probably wouldn't disturb the bacteria colonies provided you were very gentle with the swishing out of the sponges etc but unless the water starts to look murky there really is no need to clean your mechanical filtration.

Once the ammonia AND nitrite are at zero and remain there for at least a month to six weeks, then I'd be doing a filter swish. I've had my tank established for ten months and have done this 3 times...

The only additional thing I can recommend is to replace your filter intakes with a pre-filter sponge such as the Fluval Edge Pre-Filter Sponge.  This way the larger mechanical filtration happens within the aquarium and it adds even more filter material for bacteria.  Give them a soft squeeze at each water change.  This stops your filters getting clogged up with larger bits so the filter remains efficient and extends the time needed between filter cleaning.

After you've had the aquarium for a few months I wouldn't mind seeing you doing a review on it.

I've just read that it should slot over the strainer.  Thank you for your advice.  I've just ordered some. 

Maria

Brill thank you
Maria