week old tropical fish tank Nitrite off the scale

[bigv]

I have just set up a tank to keep tropical fish. It has been maturing for just 8 days. When I checked the levels of nitrite/nitrate/ph & amonia, it read as follows...

Amonia - 0
Alkaline Ph - 8.6
Nitrite - off the scale
Nitrate - off the scale

I tested the Nitrate levels coming out of the tap and it was zero (clear), compared to the dark red colour in the tank.

I have 6 plants, sand, lava rock and some shells. I changed the media in the fluval box and also the two filters. The filter was thouroughly cleaned before use (as the tank was bought second hand). Essentially, the tank is brand new as I have replaced everything.

I have changed 50% of the water and the Nitrite levels are very high again i.e. it made no difference to the Nitrite levels in the tank

Is this normal??

Thanks

 

[Aquascaper]

Are you fishless cycling or cycling with fish? If cycling with fish what are they, how many, what size tank, etc.

Also, the shells will be contributing to your high pH.

 

[corrosive]

My tanks in exactly the same state mate. Do water changes daily, to get the levels down a little bit. If your nitrites dont come down in a week to 10 days of them being high, then ask your lfs for advice.

Edit: Also see if you can get your ph down, or see if it will go down naturally, as It would be better for it to be lower, say 7.5-8 perferably.

Its not dangerously high though i dont think, so i wouldnt worry to much, just make sure you buy the right fish for that ph.

 

[bigv]

I am fishless cycling. The only part of the tank I didn't mention was the Nutrafin CO2 system I added to feed the plants

Thanks

Andy

 

[ldytmropr]

I used "Cycle" to help my cylce. You have to have ammonia in the tank to get it cycled. (that's what my LFS) told me. I had a hard time with my pH also and finally found that "Proper pH 7.0" helped. Cycle is dormant bacteria that when added to the tank begins to grow the beneficial bacteria that you need to "eat" the nitrites. I hope this helps. I'm not an expert, but that's what has worked for me.