Nitrite Issue

[FireMedic]

Point of order:

Are you speaking about Nitrates
or Nitrite?

 

[rallysman]

I have a 55 gal thats been running for months can I use that water of filter media?

Clean the filters out in the tank with the high nitrites. it'll look nasty, but it works well.

 

[irvinecokeith]

Nitrite

 

[FireMedic]

I agree with the suggestion posted already. The only other component to consider is Planting(s). Use a house plant cutting or some aquatic plants to aid your cause. -FM

 

[Pharaoh]

Keep the water changes coming.

 

[irvinecokeith]

When you say water change should I syphon the gravel as well.

 

[rallysman]

If you can speed the cycle up by adding bacteria you won't have to rely on water changes to keep the nitrite levels acceptable. Of course once things are in check you'll have to figure out a water change schedule to keep it that way.

 

[irvinecokeith]

Have no clue how to do live plants so thats proabably out of the question.

 

[Pharaoh]

Adding bacteria doesn't have anything to do with plants. The live bacteria that he is talking about is what controls your ammonia and nitrite levels when you systems is in working order. Generaly you do water changes to remove the nitrates from the system.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

I'm not a chemist - but I've got quite a bit of experience under my belt. I've cycled tanks using discus before by using the consistent water change method. I was taught by several discus breeders that if you do large daily water changes - 80%+ it will speed up your cycle and it's true.

I've gotten a 100 gallon to cycle in 2 weeks time using 12 discus...

I'm not sure where the opinion that you need to leave the same water in a tank for it to cycle comes from, but I don't think it's true.

Just my two cents - go by what you know to work. Water chemistry is an odd thing and just because it works for me doesn't mean it will work for you.