Another newbie with nitrite problems

L

LisaB

AC Members
Mar 1, 2006
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Maine
I have a 55 gallon corner tank that will be a month old this Saturday. I have had so much conflicting advice...glad I found this forum. Anyway....It is a freshwater tank with both plastic and real plants. I have a penplax cascade 700 canister filter and a very large air stone. I am embarassed to say that I do have alot of fish....36 to be exact. All of them small, mostly tetras, 2 clown loaches, 2 catfish and 3 cory cats. I have been testing the water regularly.
At two weeks I was told to change 25% of my water, which I did. Right after that one of my emperor tetras developed fungus, then another. I was told by the LPS to treat with fungus guard. NO HELP. Then my black tetras developed ich. Very mild...I was then told to use Ich guard. Didn't do much good....then I was told to increase the temp in my tank and add 1tsp salt per 10 gallons. I did this and the ich is gone.

My real problem is that last Saturday my nitrites were at 3.0. Everything else fine, amonia at 0. I did a 25% water change and the nitrites have stayed put. My fish seem fine and I have not lost one. I am assuming that I added the fish WAY before the cycling was done. A co worker that has experience in fresh water aquariums said not to change any more water right now unless the nitrites go up, or the fish seem stressed. Is there anything I can do to speed up the cycling process? I'm a little baffled, as my amonia levels have been at 0 the entire time...

HELP!
Lisa
 
Your cycle just hasn't fully kicked in. The bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite are there (explaining the lack of ammonia), but the bacteria that convert nitrite into nitrate have not become fully established.

Are you testing for nitrate? When nitrite levels drop and nitrates go up, you will be more fully cycled.

I would be more inclined to do more larger water changes to keep nitrite from reaching dangerous levels. If it were my aquarium, I'd probably do 50% water change today and repeat that every 2-3 days until the cycle settled down.

Marineland sells a product called Bio-Spira that contains the bacteria needed and claims to cycle a tank in a single day. Lots of people have success with it but I have not personally used it.
 
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I've used bio spira with great success. I have a 125 gallon tank, and had to get it set up quickly. When I bought it, I got the fish with it. Having no other place to "store" them, they went right into the tank.

Bio Spira really got my tank going quickly. It cycled fast and completely.

Apparently, it is somewhat hard to find. My LFS has it in stock, so I can't say I've had problems locating. But many others have claimed that it is hard to come by. Chain pet stores won't carry it, because it has to be refridgerated. Check around your area to see if you can locte. It's worthwhile IMO.

Joe
 
Thanks for the advice. My nitrates have risen, but the nitrites haven't started to go down yet. If I do a 50% water change, won't it slow down the cycling process? I will definately do it if need be....

Thanks again,
Lisa
 
I would do the wc..the nitrites could wipe out your fish if the levels get too high.

if you salted your tanks you help slow the rate of absorbtion of the nitrites.
 
Ok I will do it. If I find the Bio Spira, do I still do the WC? Sorry for all the questions! :girl:
 
water change water change water change. Unless you have really bad water comming out of your tap, water changes are the best thing your fish can have. I personally keep the nitrites below .5ppm. (when cycling, obviously you shouldn't get any once cycled) Its still enough to cycle a tank, but low enough that most fish will be ok in it.
 
I didn't do any water changes before or after adding the bio spira to my tank. Infact, I actually let my water go for 3 weeks after adding the bio spira. I kept testing it, and watching it closely. There wasn't a need to waste the water.

Some may tell you that you should do a water change. Personally, I think it's not needed and may actually do more harm than good. You need to have something in the tank for the bacteria to interact with. If there aren't any nitrites around, the bacteria will be slower to start.

I'd say no water change if you add the bio spira to your tank.

Joe
 
If you can find bio-spira follow the directions on the package!! I haven't been privelaged enough to find the stuff yet but from reading and research I believe that when being used you are NOT supposed to change any water, because the bacteria will be free swimming, trying to find a place to attach. If you have anymore questions about bio-spira I would wait for Roan Art to respond or send her a PM with any questions you have, she's the expert and always seems more than willing to help!! Good luck!!
 
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