Getting Nitrites down

There is no old filter, this is a new tank. So if I do a 75% w/c and the nitrite is still above .25 then do another w/c right then?
 
OK, so this is your initial cycle. Sorry for the confusion.

(and the answer is yes)
 
So it doesn't mess things up changing so much water? Thanks for your help!
 
No it doesn't mess things up. The bacteria do not live in the water, they live IN the filter floss/sponge and to a lesser extent on the gravel and decor.

You can not change too much water, EVER! (except with OTS but that's another story)
 
Put the new filter in with the old filter so it starts to build up the helpful bacteria. Or squeeze bacteria+ from old media (floss etc) into a container with tank water and the new filter to allow the new filter to start growing. If you just take out the old filter and replace with brand new, there isn't enough good bacteria just in the substrate to keep up the cycle, therefore you start a brand new cycle. It's a good habit to get into, when you plan on changing the old filter, just pop a new one (rinsed) in with the old for a few days.
 
amyandlars said:
how do you keep from having to cycle the tank when you change filters?
Click to expand...

If you're changing filters, all you have to do is run both for a while, the new one will have time to build up a good bacterial base while the old one keeps biological filtration working as it should.

Or you could just run some filter media from the old one in the new.
 
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