Extremely Dangerous Amount Of Nitrite

[Sheridanp]

I just did a water test two minutes ago, and my nitrite tested 1.6. I posted this in the beginners section, but now it's getting bad. It's been like this for the past 4-5 days. I did a 40% water change, and then a 10% water change. What do I do now? I was told to do water changes, but how often and how much?

The fish stats are in my sig. I use sand and am treating one of my fish with Melafix. The ammonia rate is 0. Everything else looks good, except I do not have a nitrate tester at the moment. Please help soon!

 

[WILDER]

How long has the tank been set up, the nitrite has to peak then come down to 0 so if you tank is cycling it's peaked and should gradually come down, increase aeration and 20% daily water changes for a few days, don't go mad or it will take for ever to cycle.

 

[Sheridanp]

My tank has been set-up for about two months now. I'm not doing a cycle, or atleast not trying to. Does it just cycle itself when a loss of bacteria?

 

[WILDER]

A med can cause a cycle, have you added anythig besides the melafix.

 

[Sheridanp]

Well, I've been adding Aquaplus. That's all I can think of. So, just do the 20% water changes for a few days?

 

[WILDER]

Yes that fine, must of been the melafix, but i thought that didn't harm the bacteria colony.

 

[Sheridanp]

Thanks. I was just treating a fish for mouth fungus, it's almost fixed. And the bottle is almost done.

 

[WILDER]

Keep a close eye on the fish as i wouldn't of used melafix on mouth fungus, good luck.

 

[Sheridanp]

It says so on the Melafix bottle. And, he is getting better.