Nitrites :(

[juliethegr8t]

Well I've decided I need a definite plan of action, and I'd love some help figuring out what it should be. My nitrites are just too high, and they don't seem to be going down. My ammonia has been at either 0 or a little higher lately, so that doesn't seem to be a problem - but I'm so worried about the nitrites! The fish seem to be doing ok, but I know this just isn't good for them. I did around a 20% water change tonight.. and I've been adding Cycle, along with feeding less. I guess my main question is, should I do every other day or even daily water changes to get the nitrites down? And if so, how much should I take out each time.. and should I vaccuum the gravel or just remove water?? I realize that I don't want to take out the bacteria I'm working so hard to grow, but I am worried about the fish! I know this is a common question, so sorry for bringing it up once again, but thanks to everyone who has a suggestion. Even if anyone could tell me what they did to bring down their nitrites during cycling would be awesome. Thanks again.

 

[CFC]

Stop feeding the fish at all and start doing daily 10% water changes,it will prolong the cycle a little but will be easier on the fish,dont worry about the not feeding, adult fish can survive weeks without food.
Do you have any other tanks or a friend with a established tank (or a good helpful lfs)? If you do take a handfull of gravel and if possibe some of the filter media from the established tank and add it to yours,this will bring some extra nitrobacter bacteria into your set up and help speed things along.Bottled bacteria products such as cycle and bacterlife or a waste of time IMO.

Oh and dont vacume the gravel,it will remove the bacteria colonies you do have and make things take even longer.

 

[beltdrive]

Sorry to here about your problem, But what is your nitrite level.

i'm sorry to ask a stupid quesion but im just starting out.

 

[juliethegr8t]

When you start a new tank, you go through a "cycling" process. Bacteria have to grow to complete the process and make your tank safe.

Fish waste - Ammonia > Nitrites > Nitrates

Since both ammonia and nitrites are toxic to fish, you need to be careful and make sure the bacteria to convert them grow in your tank. There's a lot of details in the cycle - check other posts to find a more significant explanation, or look up "aquarium cycling" on a search engine. It's important, so I encourage you to learn as much as you can!

 

[jbjnc63]

My nitrites were very high, off the chart, the last few days due to cycling my new tank. It took about 3 weeks to reach this point, but I did add a cut up sponge from a cycled tank to my filter box. I've had an advanced aquarist from another forum recommend adding an 1/8 tsp of table salt to the tank to help the fish breathe during this time. The nitrites affects the fishes ability to breathe. I also added some "Prime" water conditioner yesterday, which detoxifies the nitrites and ammonia without interfering with the bacteria growth or altering the PH. My nitrite levels are way down today and all fish are fine. I have a fully loaded tank too. Click on my mini profile below to see my tank. I'm pretty much a newbie myself, but I'm a research fanatic. Prime seems to be a great product. Here is a link to website with description.
http/www.seachem.com/en_products/product.../043_prime.html

 

[Angel Lady]

you should never use table salt I have heard everyone on this forum say this will kill them, salt does help the{ kind made for fish} if you dont have scaless fish make sure you check that out first because salt will burn them. your best bet is to change the water out 10 percent every day this will keep them alive until the cycling is finished that is how I kept my fish alive. These people on this forum has helped me save just about all of my fish and they do know what they are talking about.