High NitrItes

Sounds like you are getting it under control. Keep testing and doing the PWCs as necessary and you will be just fine. Also for the record, whomever told you to start with neons and otos doesn't have a brain in thier head. These are some of the most sensitive fish and do not fare well in the cycling process.It is not your fault though. You didn't know and trusted that they did know. My advice is keep doing what you are doing and research and ask lots of questions. That is the best way to learn and get the most accurate information. Keep up the good work.

Marinemom
 
Thanks for all the help everyone!

Yes, it seems to be going well now. NitrItes are staying at 0, now I'm just fighting ammonia (between .25 and .5). Still doing PWCs nightly, and going to vac tonight. I am also thinking that the boys have been feeding more than they should. I hide the food because my 8 yr old is mildly autistic, but I think I will be finding a better hiding place and doing some educating.

And I don't want you all to think there are more LFS idiots in Indiana... no one told us we could start with neons and oto's. We've had aquariums before, and just been extremely lucky I guess. We had a 10g, a 25g and a 30g before we moved three years ago. We had always done fishy cycles with no trouble, but we had always started with Zebra Danios. The boys just happened to pick the neons this time. I did a little research on Neons before purchasing, so please don't think I just went out and bought some "pretty fish" mindlessly. But, apparently I should have researched cycling a bit more -- it's just that we had never had any of these emergency issues in the past, and we had never lost ANY fish before either. And the only help I had was a few books from the library.

I just ran into a old friend at WalMart last night and found out that her husband has an aquarium business!! He sets up and maintains very large units for businesses. So, I'm getting a very thorough education now!

And, I'm addicted already! Just asked hubby for at least a 30g for my birthday! Before anyone freaks out... from now on, we do fishless cycles all the way!!!

Thanks again everyone! We truly appreciated your help!
Nadine & boys
 
I have always noticed in my tanks that it is much easyer to keep nitrites under control by vacuming the gravel with every PWC. This will also help minimize the growth of algee and also depending on stock will reduce the frequency of needed water changes.
 
keep doing the testing and do the water changes and gravel vacs the ammonia will die off at some point and try to get the nitrites to atleast 0.25 if at 0 that is good then nitrates will show up once you get nitrates between 20-40 and other levels at 0 you are cycled. Feed lightly I feed my fish once daily. Good luck!
 
Thanks for all of the help, guys!

Update: We are completely cycled!!
Ammonia at 0
Nitrites at O
Nitrates at 20

WooHoo! Even added three new neons and holding steady!!

Thinking about a couple of ghost shrimp now. :dive:
 
Thanks for all of the help, guys!

Update: We are completely cycled!!
Ammonia at 0
Nitrites at 0
Nitrates at 20

WooHoo! Even added three new neons and holding steady!!

Thinking about a couple of ghost shrimp now. :dive:
 
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