Lowering Nitrite

[Greg31]

I know nitrite is part of the cycling process and from possibly excess food/waste but I cant seem to get mine to lower. I thought that doing daily 25% water changes can help this process. I added 40% cycled water and two plants to try to help with the process but its not working. Fish seem to be doing ok, but I dont want anything to happen. Any tips?

 

[mgk]

I know nitrite is part of the cycling process and from possibly excess food/waste but I cant seem to get mine to lower. I thought that doing daily 25% water changes can help this process. I added 40% cycled water and two plants to try to help with the process but its not working. Fish seem to be doing ok, but I dont want anything to happen. Any tips?

the best thing to add is something solid(that has much more bacteria then water), not water, so either filter media(preferred) or gravel.

 

[Greg31]

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.

 

[jschall]

I know nitrite is part of the cycling process and from possibly excess food/waste but I cant seem to get mine to lower. I thought that doing daily 25% water changes can help this process. I added 40% cycled water and two plants to try to help with the process but its not working. Fish seem to be doing ok, but I dont want anything to happen. Any tips?

Feed a quarter of whatever you're feeding now.
Test nitrite daily, if you have more than .25 ppm, do a 50% water change.
Add filter media from an established tank, or more plants from an established tank.
Just wait. The population of bacteria in your tank doubles about every 24 hours while you're building it up. You'll see your nitrites suddenly disappear in a few days to a week, as long as you're not doing anything wrong (like using dechlorinated water or cleaning your filter in tap water)

 

[Bderick67]

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.

Unless you added seeded media to this tank, the cycling process takes about 4-5 weeks to complete. Are you also testing your ammonia?

 

[bomber]

I would do 50% wc daily and document all water parameters until nitrites go away.

 

[Austin]

I'd google the home aquaria nitrogen cycle....

 

[Greg31]

I am trying to get these fish big quick. I only feed them 2-3 a day at the moment. Will try to feed a little less. I have a small piece of drift wood with a java fern attached in my other tank. I guess I will put that in the 10g and see if it helps.

 

[Austin]

It's hard for them to get big if you kill them first. Stop feeding until you actually get your tank cycled, it's a cesspool right now. They can go without food for multiple weeks if need be.

 

[Krawnik]

It's hard for them to get big if you kill them first. Stop feeding until you actually get your tank cycled, it's a cesspool right now. They can go without food for multiple weeks if need be.