how to solve nitrite?

[rkc772]

i have been testing my water for amonia, nitrite and nitrate.... amonia is zero, nitrate is 10 and nitrite is 0.5 i have been changing 25-30% everyday and currently have a 60 gal tank running on xp3 (capacity up to 175gal). i cycled the tank for 2 weeks, dropped some stress zyme for biological filter. i only have 4 3" blue pleco and 2- 4" thin bar datnoids. it is bare bottom. i am wondering how can the nitrite be that high with very little fish in it. does this mean my filter is not doing it's job??? do i need to used gravel to increase the bioload? help please!!!

 

[R6speed]

If this is a new setup it may take longer than 2 weeks to completely cycle. I used a fish less cycle and it took around 4 weeks for nitrites to drop to 0.

 

[dodgefreak8]

add bio spira it is the ONLY true bacteria in a bottle. I had the same proble in a 55 and my nitrite was 0 in 2 days.. truly awesome stuff. either that or more water changes for awhile

 

[rkc772]

If this is a new setup it may take longer than 2 weeks to completely cycle. I used a fish less cycle and it took around 4 weeks for nitrites to drop to 0.

it has been over 5 weeks already. had it empty and cycle for 3 weeks and i added some fish just 2 weeks ago. and for some weird reason it keeps on giving me nitrite. all the rest are fine only nitrite is the problem. should i stop changing water and wait for 2 days?

where can i get bio spira? any internet store i can purchase it?

 

[dodgefreak8]

one thing you can do is add prime and leave it for a day or two BUT you have to monitor your nitrite very close and make sure it doesn't raise. prime will detoxify the nitrite periodically. It's not a cure though only a helper. Biospira is available by the net but its riskey because it has to stay very cold in shipment or the bacteria dies. I would do a search on biospiras web page for a local dealer.