HELP - MY DAD IS KILLING MY FISH!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I have been using cycle and adding salt to my water. My fish health seems to be improving even though I thought they were in pretty good health prior to these additives. My tank levels are now:

Ammonia - 0.0
Nitrite - 2.0
Nitrate - 15.0

At which point should I do a water change? Should I wait until Nitrite drops to 0.0, or should I do one before that point? Thanks for your help everyone; you guys have been very helpful.
 
I would do one now and post test results an hour later......
 
I would get some bio spira or some other type of beneficial bacteria booster. add some salt turn the temp up a bit and do weekly water changes. Since you know your parameters you obviously have a test kit. Stay ontop of your water quality. GL
 
Well I think that I have finally got things under control. I just measured the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in the tank again and got these numbers:

Ammonia - 0.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 10.0

I did a water change right after the 8-16 post and added the recommended cycle amount for the water change. All in all I added cycle gradually over two and half days until I had added enough cycle to reach the recommended amount for cycling a tank. I plan to add the recommended weekly amount of cycle when I do weekly water changes. I also added salt to the aquarium to prevent my fish from intaking the nitrite when levels were high and am phasing it out over the next few water changes so that I can add a cat.

I am going to keep measuring my levels daily over the next couple of weeks, but I think that things are going to be ok. I want to say thanks to everyone who gave advice. I might have had quicker success if I was able to find some bio spira or been able to get some established media, but I couldn't because I have had a busy past couple of weeks and work weird hours. The cycle seems to have done the trick however and I am glad that all of the fish made it through the ordeal. They seem to be in good health, especially my Zonata which is turning out to be the nicest looking young fish I have ever owned. You guys really were helpful, and I have learned the lesson I didn't as a kid before it killed my fish. I have been reading so much on these forums the last couple of days that I have probably increased my fish knowledge 20 fold. Time to read some more; thanks again everyone.
 
I like to read Fish Forums of all soughts when I'm bored, it really increases your knowledge, although lately my favourite spot in here has been the photo lounge.
 
Sorry but cycle does nothing, just a waste of money. If you want a biological additive stick with properly stored bio-spira.

Oh and forget about the pH, i would consider that pretty average. Its not really the actual pH but if it stays stable. If you go and try to lower it with whatever product your fish might get a little too stressed and die.
 
I still prefer to kick start filters using sludge from a healthy filter instead of canned bacterial preparations. Just old fashioned I guess.
 
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