Tropical Fish Keeping banner

High Nitrite levels

3K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  fish_4_all 
#1 ·
Background information:

29 Gallon tank stocked with: 2 Dwarf Gouarmis, 16 Tetras, 6 Coryfish, and 3 Mollies.

No real plants are in the tank.

The tank was set up around 3 weeks ago and fish were added relatively quickly (10 days later). Ammonia levels were peaking extremely high (around 2-3) so I was doing daily water changes (50%). At the time, nitrite levels were 0 and Nitrate levels were around 5-10. I went on vacation for 10 days and just returned yesterday. No water changes were done during this time and the fish were only fed twice. I was shocked to see no fish had died. I tested the water and the readings were: Ammonia 0, Nitrite 3-5, Nitrate 30-35.

I know that the Nitrite should be at 0, and I know that I rushed the cycle.

What suggestions do you have? Are high nitrite levels just as bad as ammonia? Would you recommend daily water changes of 50% still? I feed the fish twice a day, is that too much?

Thanks!
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Not too often but maybe too much. The cycle not beng done isn't helping because it is converting the nitrites into nitrates and there is no real balance yet. Keep up with your water changes, 50% weekly or 10-15% every other day to try and gte under control. Ammonia is worse than nitrates but nitrates will do just as much harm if allowed to get too high.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top