nitrite wont go down

[teknikz]

my gf's mum has got a 10 gal tank........in it she has 5 small cory's a clown plec and a baby parrot fish......the water was cycled and in it is a large filter that had established media in it........the nitrites went up......so she made 10% water changes daily for a weak and it didnt budge.....so a nitra-zorb bag was put into the tank and the nitrite still wont budge.....even tho water changes everyday are still bein made....its still dead high.....any ideas as to why it wont lower?

 

[Missy]

I know you said the tank was cycled but were all the fish added at the same time?If that is the case than maybe the load was too much at one time and has caused it to cycle again.

I think that with the nitrasorb and frequent water changes she is doing the right thing and should be able to get it under control soon. But, if there are other tanks around that are very well established, a handful or two of some gravel from there could be added to boost the beneficial bacteria or just tie some gravel in a stocking and place it in the tank.

Also, (just thinking as I go, hope you don't mind), if there is room in another tank that is, again, well established maybe a few or all of the corys should be moved there to ease the stress on the tank. Then when the nitrites are down to zero for a few weeks, she could add the corys back, two first for a week then the other three.

Good luck. Please let me know how it goes.

 

[Lithril]

Was the tank cycled with fish, even though seeded media was used the tank still needs time to "bed in". You could try larger water changes 25-30% for a few days and see if this brings it in. If the Nitrites are that high the fish will be suffering so I would probably look at doing a fairly large change of up to 50% and see what that brings it down to.