Water problems

[Behemoth]

I have a 29 gallon tank that is in my office for the kiddos that I work with...

The tank is giving me problems. The Amonia levels are 0. But the nitrite levels are between 3.3-33mg/l. I know its a cheap test kit but give me a break I work for the state. The ph levels are 7.2.

I have a small channel cat, a striped raphael cat, a blue crayfish, and a killer (literally) blood parrot. I have a bamboo, some moss, and three other clumps of Petco aquarium plants.

Gravel and Arkansas stream rocks for substrate.

I have done a massive water change once. I have also done a couple smaller changes.

I have added prime to it. I have added cycle.

The tank has been set up for 5 weeks.

 

[thecoolguy]

well.....i think too much too fast....

get on a regular water change sched, perhaps 15% every week for like 3 weeks, then up that to 30-40% weekly.....

hope they survive....unless you have a place to put some of those fish....

add prime only when you add water.....

 

[Behemoth]

The fish are giving no indication of being stressed. I added a couple of small air pumps when I couldnt get the nitrite levels down. Its just very frustrating that I cannot get them down. At home I set up a 10 gallon hospital tank. The parameters are fine on it.

 

[Sturgeon]

You opted to add fish rather quickly, which most people do, but I believe you have put too many fish in before the bio filter can establish itself. Keep on top of the ammonia levelz, perform small water changes to keep parameters in range while allowing the bio filter to establish nitrifying bacterias and other bacterias that break poisonous chemical bonds. When all is well the nitrites will drop. Seriously think about investing in a freshwater testkit, It will greatly help prevent fish loss due to new tank syndrome, only if you test often and not when fish die like Newbs.... What Can I say, I was a newb once and i made dumb choices, my fish didnt live to learn from it but I did

 

[Behemoth]

I am checking amonia, nitrite, and ph level daily.

The kits were the ones that were recommended to me. I live an 1.5 hours from civilization...so I couldn't bring water in to be tested. The kits that I am using are Wardley PH water test kit, API Ammonia test kit, and the Tetra test for nitrite.

What do I do now to get the nitrites down? The ammonia is zero at this time.

 

[Brackishbandit]

how big are the fish and how much are you feeding them. Water changes, are the most important, like thecoolguy said keep to routine changes. Your levels will lower and plane off once you get the bacteria growth you need to keep tank stable

 

[Behemoth]

The channel cat is 2.5", parrot is 3", raphael 2", and the blue crayfish is 2.5".