Nitrate and Nitrite!!!!!!!!!!

[effien]

recieved a 96 litre tank with a very good external pump then within one week put in 9 malawi Cichlid and one sucker fish dont know its real name.

(YES I KNOW THATS IS SERIOUSLY OVER FOR A NEW TANK)

I have managed to bring down the ammonia to 0.1. PH is 8.5(which Im told is OK for Malawi Cichlid)

Only the Nitrate and Nitrite has gone crazy it is at its highest possible.

I have done numerous 25-30% water changes but it wont come down.

Please help

Also I bought a air pump and stone for the tank is it possible to put TOO MUCH
air into the tank as it is a powerfull air pump with a 1 foot air stone.

Many thanks
E

 

[Chaz]

I suggest that you keep doing the water changes AND test your tap water as it is possible that the nitrates and nitrites are comeing from there AND it is also possible that the filter may be to small or that as it is a very new tank the filter has not developed the very important bactirea!

 

[3fsh]

Is there any way that you can:

a. give the fish to the lfs for them to hold onto until you cycle your tank

b. get some gravel or sponges from your lfs's tanks

c. sell the fish back to the store, cycle the tank, and start over

Because no matter how many water changes you do, your tank will continue to try to cycle unless you have some good bacteria in there which will bring it to an end quickly. Also, have you cleaned your gravel? (Do you have gravel?) That might be the source of your high nitrites and high nitrates.