Nitrites through the roof

[skiltrip]

Last week I did a 15% water change. This is regular maintanence, but I did have pretty high Nitrite levels.

Today I checked for Nitrates again, and the level was around 1.6mg/l. I did approximately a 50% water change, tested again, and the level dropped to around 1.0mg/l or maybe a little less.

My ammonia is at 0. So I assume the nitrites are just peaking as part of the cycling. Is this normal to have them so high?

In order to deal with it for now, should I do regular small water changes every day? If so, how much? I have a 37 Gallon tank. I was thinking of doing a 5 Gallon water change every day for a while till the Nitrites come down. What do you all think?

- Kip

 

[HooDude]

Heh heh.

Well first off, do not do water changes while cycling. This simply lowers ammonia and slows the cycle. Unless you put your prized fish in there already, in that case you're in for a long haul.

By a bottle of Hagen Cycle, and put in the recommended dosage for cycling tanks. Then even a bit more if you like. This will provide the needed bacteria and the cycle will progress faster.

The nitrobacters need ammonia to reproduce faster, and the other good bacteria (can't remember name) need nitrite to reproduce faster. Thus, just put in cycle and leave it alone. Don't over do it on the feeding though, too much ammonia is a bad thing. My nitrtie level in my tank is 3.3 mg/L right now so don't worry. My ammonia is at 2.4 mg/L. I'm at the peak right now.

So uh... haha... 1.6 mg/L isn't through the roof. Not yet.

 

[skiltrip]

I'm glad to hear my nitrite levels aren't really that high. I guess I'll just do my normal 15% water change weekly. No need to panic, that's good.

- kip