Huge Nitrite Spike - Worry?

[AquaPorn]

For one reason or another...new stronger powerhead, breaking down the tank, or maybe purigen was not regenerated properly. The reason doesn't matter at this point.

I am currently amidst a huge nitrite spike. Off the charts high 5ppm or greater.

Ammonia = 0ppm and Nitrates are of course on the rise around 40ppm.

Before the spike I had moved my stock to a Hospital tank. The only thing left in my DT is the CUC consisting of only snails.

Since my fish are in the QT for the next 7 weeks I was not too concerned, and figured a mini-cycle of some sort. And, that the bacteria would eventually colonize large enough to start knocking the nitrites down. Then I would do a few w/c's to knock the nitrates down.

However, It's been 10 days now and nitrites have not budged.

Do I need to do a w/c? Or, can I just ride it out until the bacteria colonizes?

Thanks!

 

[chichimom79]

You've created a mini cycle from probably stirring things up and moving it around. Doing a water change will prolong this cycle, but since you have a CuC in there, you may want to change out some water so they don't stress or die.