How To Lower The Nitrite?

[kim03333]

hi i have my tank which is in the process of cycling and it has fish in it. i have been successful in keeping the ammonia at about 0 but now the nitrite is creeping up on me at almost 0.8 i have been doing water changes each day, changing 25 % each time but it isn't touching the nitrite so should i be changing water more often? or just changing larger quantities? or maybe both.
thanks alot

 

[helterskelter]

Well water changes is the best way, the safest way though of cycleing with out any fish though.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

both, do bigger changes more often, do as much as you can to get it down.

just to check, have you checked your tap water? if you have any nitrite in the tap water then water changes won't bring it down below the level that's in the tap. Relativley unlikley but worth checking.

 

[rabbut]

Yes, bigger waterchages It needs to be kept below 0.25ppm at all times during the cycle, or it may suffocate your fish. Nitrite inhibits your fishes ability to absorb oxygen into their blood, so when it is high, they won't be able to breath properly, which is obviously an issue.
Waterchanges are safe to steap up. Some discus breeders do 90% waterchanges daily when raising babies, and discus are amongst the most delicate fish about for changes in water quality

Do you have a nitrite reading from the tap? If so, this may complicate things a little...

Also, what test kits are you using?

All the best
Rabbut

 

[kim03333]

thanks everyone. i never thought about a nitrite reading in tap water. i tested it and it's 0. i am using the nutrafin mini master kit to test the water after having been conned using test strips. this kit seems much better and tests for ph, NH3, NO2 and NO3

one more thing, am i right in thinking i shouldn't worry about touching the filter to rinse it out whilst tank is cycling unless it stops working as effectively?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

good, always worth testing your tap water, get an idea of the bassline you're working with.

yes you are correct, don't touch the filter unless the flow rate is noticably reduced.