Nitrite Problem

[Marjorie]

I have recently started a new tank for my male betta. I used driftwood and plants from my established tank and Nutrafin Cycle to get things going and let it cycle for a week. I put in my betta 3 days ago but the nitrite levels are consistently high. I don't want to lose my new boy, but I can't put him in my community tank for obvious reasons. I have been doing 50% water changes every day, and this morning, in desperation, I syphoned out 20 litres and refilled with 20 litres from my established tank which have brought the levels down a little. Need help please.

Tank size: 37 litre
pH: 7.4
ammonia: 0.25 ppm
nitrite: was 2.0 ppm - after adding water from established tank is presently 0.50 ppm
nitrate: 10 ppm
kH: not known
gH not known
tank temp: 76 degrees

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

did you add some of your community tanks filter media to your new tanks filter? That might help it cycle as I doubt the cycle chemical would work.

 

[Marjorie]

did you add some of your community tanks filter media to your new tanks filter? That might help it cycle as I doubt the cycle chemical would work.

Don't laugh, but I have a well-used filter cartridge from my other tank floating in a breeding trap in the new tank. The filters are different so I can't swap the media.

 

[BLACK DDOG]

Try what I did when I setup my second tank, it seamed to work, squeeze the used filter media out in the tank (it makes it mucky for a few hours) but the bacteria gets sucked into the new filter, and it starts working.

 

[Marjorie]

Thanks, I'll do that