I've had my 90 gallon tank for about a month now I added fish two weeks ago because I thought it was cycled. My nitrite levels are 3.0 my ammonia is at 0 and my nitrate is at 20 and I keep doing 25% water change everyday but it isn't helping. Does anyone know what I should do?
High Nitrite levels
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hi
mine was like that..i added some beneficial bacteria i bought from the store,
and my levels are sitting pretty.
not everyone uses this stuff,some say it's of no use,some like me use it,
it's up to you...nothing to lose really,it might just give you the edge.
just my pennies worth
mine was like that..i added some beneficial bacteria i bought from the store,
and my levels are sitting pretty.
not everyone uses this stuff,some say it's of no use,some like me use it,
it's up to you...nothing to lose really,it might just give you the edge.
just my pennies worth
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1,573 Posts
When I was cycling a tank that I didn't transfer media from another tank I would do 50% or maybe a little more. plus double dose prime. As for the fish they'll be fine for a week or more easy.. but you can go to light feedings every 3 days if it makes you feel better about them.
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1,573 Posts
No, Not a new one. Well depends on the filter you have though if it isn't sufficient. (don't believe the labels.. they LIE! lol) What would best help you right now is get filter media from another healthy tank..a friend a trusted store or fish keeper ..and put that in the filter already running. I transfer media from established tanks to new ones always and avoid the whole crazy cycle roller coaster. I keep extra media in most tanks as a safety in case I'll need it to run one of my QT tanks or get a new tank.
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I'd up my water change volume and/or frequency. Even with double-dose Prime, 3.0ppm nitrite is dangerously high.
Keeping in mind that extra media does not mean extra bacteria. There is always only just enough. Anytime you remove media, you're taking from the mother load.
Keeping in mind that extra media does not mean extra bacteria. There is always only just enough. Anytime you remove media, you're taking from the mother load.
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Just to be clear so as not to confuse... When I said "I keep extra media in all my tanks as a safety..." This isn't for that tank the extra media is in, it's for establishing a proper BB colony in a new tank or a QT tank so as to avoid running into Ammonia and nitrite issues. A cut to fit piece of filter media( foam) or bioballs(the legit ones that work;-) ) in an easy to access place. This avoids having to turn off and dismantle any HOBs to get some media..and for canisters.. just unplug open up and take it out and start it right back up. Just enough for the new tank not so much to crash the donor tanks ones cycle. Like for my newer 55... I took the extra media from my 75 and not from say my kids 16. Makes life easier..I don't like doing things any harder then they have to be.
IME weeks as a minimum.
with heavily planted tanks almost indefinately.
NitrItes in my tanks usually drop down in 3-4 days with no food being added.
when I add that first fish I don't add food for a week. Nitrites spike up the second or third day then drop down a day later.
my .02
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How long have nitrites been showing? Feed very lightly, up water change volume to about 50% and just be patient. Your tank will sort itself out. In my experience nitrites sometimes seem to take forever to drop down but they will.
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I agree!!!! I was born lazy and suffered a relapse at 2 weeks. LOL
Does the mean that at 2 weeks you started working? :lol:
My nitrites have been showing for a little over 4 weeks now. Ive been doing 50% percent water changes everyday and they just go right back up a few hours after. After the spike ends i was thinking of adding more fish i have an angelfish 5 tiger barbs 2 mollies and a pleco. Do you guys know any good recommendations for fish?
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