Lowering Nitrite

[Bderick67]

I said feed light every day, feeding light every day has never killed any of my fish. people get too worked up about water changes and cycling, it isnt necessary with good products like prime. If you do water changes every day and quit feeding and take the enjoyment out of the hobby it just adds unnecessary stress and delays the cycle . low levels of nitrites isn't a big deal, maybe you need to do some research.

I'll agree with Austin on this one. Not hard to do a little research and see the long term damage to the fish that is caused by having nitrites above .25ppm.

I fail to see why anyone would think you need mass amounts of nitrite in a tank to cycle it. Even an amount of .25ppm is more then enough "food" to keep the bacteria growing. Hell any excess of nitrites is enough to expand the colony. So it is just idiotic to think that doing water changes delays the cycle.

To the OP if you care about the fish you will do what is necessary to keep the nitrites under .25ppm over the next few weeks while the tank finishes cycling. Or you can follow wards advise and just get new fish in a few weeks after your tank has cycled.

 

[fishbum]

yeh, the only thing "solid" I added was plants from my other tank. Its been about 2 weeks since I have had this tank going and I cant seem to get these levels down. I am a little worried.

Isn't your other tank cycled? If it is,take some of the filter media and add it the tank that has the nitrite.

What are you ammonia levels?

 

[ward1066]

prime neutralizes the nitrites if you didnt know and they will go down normally with time, if they stay long term then you are doing something wrong. water changes also removes bacteria and food. if done every day it can delay the cycle IMO. seeing nitrites is a good sign and not a time to panic. let nature take its course. the only time i worry when cycling is if I see my fish breathing hard, if they are acting normal I dont sweat it.

 

[fishbum]

the only time i worry when cycling is if I see my fish breathing hard, if they are acting normal I dont sweat it.

If they are breathing hard,you should have done something sooner.

 

[p3rf3ctsp3cim3n]

Get some purigen from seachem. It's rechargeable and lasts up to 6 months for 100ml bag that treats up to 100gl. You can recharge it up to six times(x 6 months). One bag runs at about $10 at a local store or you can grab some cheaper and bigger quantities.

it keeps my tank crystal clear and it sucks up a lot of chemicals, including ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc. you'll see a change in few hours.

Also, mine is planted, got anacharis in there that naturally eats those nutes.

 

[ward1066]

If they are breathing hard,you should have done something sooner.

I do agree with you about adding the used media, he added tank water and plants and that isnt enough to jump start the cycle imo. Ive never had the heavy breathing

 

[dawnmarie]

It's hard for them to get big if you kill them first.

I may have to borrow this quote.

 

[Austin]

I said feed light every day, feeding light every day has never killed any of my fish. people get too worked up about water changes and cycling, it isnt necessary with good products like prime. If you do water changes every day and quit feeding and take the enjoyment out of the hobby it just adds unnecessary stress and delays the cycle . low levels of nitrites isn't a big deal, maybe you need to do some research.

this kind of info being given out on a regular basis is why I frequent forums less and less.

 

[Greg31]

I understand everyone's points and the "they wont get big if their dead". I do understand the cycling process and thought that with water, and multiple items from a cycled tank would do the trick. I was wrong. Sorry if I misunderstand the hosility here but I was just asking for help. I have cut the feedings back to 1 time per day. (1 medium hikari pellet split between the two fish) Should I also continue with daily water changes? Some have said yes some have said no. Final verdict?

 

[Greg31]

Would also like to add my fish display healthy behavior at the moment. No heavy breathing, good colors and eating normally. So no side effects from my neglegence yet.