Nitrite level really high

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Kelbel

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Mar 9, 2003
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I set up a new 10 gallon tank 5 weeks ago, I was doing really good for awhile, I finally got the PH down from 9 to 7.6 via r/o water. And then went thru a little bout of ICK and got that cleared up. I had 2 fish left after all of this. The high PH took its toll on a few of them. A few days ago I tested my water and the amonia was really really high, so I did a water change. The next morning I tested again and the amonia was down to 0, but the Nitrites were thru the roof. My test kit only goes to 5 and it was all the way up there. By the evening I lost the 2 fish I had left. :( From what I understand, the nitrites being that high means that my tank is near the end of its cycle. Is this true? And should I just wait for the Nitrites to go down to 0, and then add some new fish? And if so, how long does that normally take? And will my tank be more stable after this? HELP! I don't want to lose anymore fish.

~Kelbel~
 
While it doesn't necessarily mean you're out of the woods yet, high nitrates are one of the later stages of the cycling process.

As long as you add any new fish very slowly, not more than a fish or two a week, you should have a stable tank once it is finished with the initial cycle. Don't add any just yet, tho. You have the perfect opportunity to fishless cycle now if you don't have any fishies left to hurt... then you can stock the tank fully with no problems at all! There are no time frames, just estimates... the average tank takes anywhere from 6-12 weeks to cycle when fish are involved, from 3-6 with the fishless method.... Mine took about 7 the last time I set one up (and got impatient and added fish, rather than cycling fishlessly like I should have...) Your tank shouldn't have too much longer to finish up.

Read up on the fishless cycle. It will be your best friend in the weeks ahead...
 
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Do you think that I should do a water change with nitrite levels so high, or should I just sit still for another week and let the Nitrite levels lower on their own?

Thanks for the help!

~Kelbel~
 
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