Nitrites During Cycling

[brina1216]

I have been cycling my 55 gallon tank (with fish) for around 5 weeks now. My ammonia spikes, as it should, now it is at 0. My nitrites though also spiked but they haven't gone back down. I was doing a 25% water change every other day, now I did a 50% water change, but my nitrites are still at 5.0 (I checked my tap water and nitrites showed 0) so the test kit is working fine.

In my tank I have:

3 tinfoil barbs
2 silver dollars
2 honey gouramis
1 pictus catfish
1 plato shark

I read somewhere that is is normal for your nitrites to spike (sometimes to this level) but when should they go back down?

 

[backtotropical]

Hi and to the forum,

It sounds like your fish-in cycle is going well, just need those nitrites to come down.

5 is far too high. Have you lost any fish? I'd be surprised if not with nitrite at that level.

Do a 90% water change as soon as possible. Just make sure to match the temperature of the fresh water as best you can to the existing tank water, and dechlorinate well.

Leave for a while then test again. If nitrite is still higher than 0.25, perform another 50% change 1 hour later. Repeat until nitrite is 0.25 or less.

This will give the fish the best possible chance and will also allow you to monitor what is happening more accurately.

Your aim from then on is to keep ammonia and nitrite below 0.25 at all times until the cycle completes.

Any questions, just ask.

BTT

 

[waterdrop]

Hi brina and welcome to TFF!

Just to say: I agree completely with BTT above and the goals he suggests. New water is your friend!

~~waterdrop~~