Is your filtration system too small? In addition, no matter how good your filtration system is, it is important to change about 1/4 of the water weekly. Could you send the photo of your tank, it is eaier to see where the problem is ...
you could put some plant in filtration,but you need to clean it oftenly in case it block the grids.But side filtration inside tank or filtration hang up outer tank, it is ok, not ugly.
Hi Will,
Nitrite(NO2-) over 2ppm is not good. I don't know what your filteration is.
my advices are
Immediately change 1/4 of the water in the fish tank
Reduce daily feeding, or reduce fish :)
Change your filtration system and change water pump if it is not enough for your tank to increase...
I make DIY filter for small tank .The filtration separate wet and dry,and the effect is better than the filter drum, I suggest you use similar filtration. It hang up outside of the tank.