Tropical Tank

[charliesteve]

Hi everyone. (Once again)
New fish tank, water in, live plants in, plant fertilizer in and filter good bacteria in. After leaving for 24 hrs I did a water test prior to the purchase of fish. The result says change water because Nitrite levels too high. Read up about that and it says possibly over-stocked tank (no fish in tank) or overfeeding. Again not feeding because no fish. What is going on?
Thanks
Steve

[woofgang]

the filter will take longer that 24 hours to start working and if you have used plant fertilizer that will put the N level up. Give it at least 3 days and test again, better to leave it a week if you can. If there is no drop after 3 days, even a slight one, then redo the whole setup. Oh and have you tested the water you used to fill the tank with BEFORE you put it in the tank?

[geevo41]

Hope this helps

https://fishlab.com/nitrite/#nitrite-removal

[charliesteve]

Thanks woofgang, the water was treated with Love Fish tap safe solution that removes chlorine before putting in tank. Will try as you say and give it a week before wasting another test strip.
Steve

[woofgang]

chlorine has nothing to do with n levels. Test your tap water first.

[charliesteve]

Surely the water must be ok, I drink it without any issues, woofgang.

[woofgang]

its not a question of "surely" its about excluding all possibilities.

[charliesteve]

Ok, but what exactly am I testing for and with what do I test. Surely not with a test strip that cost an arm and a leg and are only used once. Should I contact the water company for advice?
Steve

[woofgang]

where are you buying your test strips?
Amazon.com User Recommendation

[charliesteve]

Pets At Home. Tetra 6 in 1 test strips. Don't remember exact price but a pack of 24 strips and it is not only a few pence each. Will take a look on Amazon. Thanks woofgang.

[woofgang]

:)