Nitrites Help

[lym]

My 26 gallon tank finally finished cycling after 3 weeks, did a large water change this morning and got 7 Neon Tetra's this afternoon. Since the water change though Nitrites are now showing 2.0, so I did a 50% water change but it's made no difference. What do I do? Or will lower on it's own??

 

[Tessla]

Nitrites or nitrates? Should have been testing for nitrites while you were fishless cycling, if those aren't down to a constant zero you haven't finished cycling yet.

If those are nitrates, test your tap water. It isn't uncommon to have nitrates from your tap water, these can be decreased by adding live plants or doing a water change, though if your tap water contains nitrates you'll only be able to get them down so far.

 

[lym]

Nitrites or nitrates? Should have been testing for nitrites while you were fishless cycling, if those aren't down to a constant zero you haven't finished cycling yet.

If those are nitrates, test your tap water. It isn't uncommon to have nitrates from your tap water, these can be decreased by adding live plants or doing a water change, though if your tap water contains nitrates you'll only be able to get them down so far.

I have been testing Nitrates. This is Nitrites, they were 0 before the water change. Nitrates are 5. I've been looking on the internet about my problem and I've read that you can get a false Nitrite result after a large water change when a cycle has finished. Is it possible that this is what has happened to me and that my tank is actually ok??

 

[Tessla]

That is possible, just keep an eye on it and don't add any more fish until you're certain that your tank is stable.

 

[lym]

Ok thanks.