Nitrite.

[rickA6]

Hi there I am after a little help. I am trying to start up a new tropical tank. After testing the water today I have found that that my nitrite levels are very high. All other tests say i am safe. What do I do to sort this out.

Thanks for your help

 

[Rbishop]

What size tank? Any fish in it? Are you doing a fishless cycle with ammonia/shrimp/food?

What are your exact ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings? How long has the cycle been in progress?

 

[rickA6]

ok size of tank is 26litres.

At the mo we have two goldfish in there

Ammonia= 0.1mg/l

Nitrate = 50.0 mg/l

Ph = 8.5

Nitrite = 3.0mg/l

being running about a week

I was advised not to put fish in until i have the levels right as the goldfish are borrowed.

 

[Reddog80p]

If I remember right mg/l is the same as ppm. So if you have 3 mg/l nitrIte then you have 3 ppm nitrItes, which is high. Do a water change to get the nitrIte down to under .25 mg/l and retest. This should also drop your Ammonia and NitrAte, unless your tap water has them in there to begin with. Remember to match your tank temperature when adding water, and dechlorinate it. Your cycle appears to be coming close to finishing. Water changes will not hurt your cycle.

 

[rickA6]

thanks for help we will try it.

Thanks again

 

[amosf]

sigh... poor goldfish.

Not the best fish to use for cycling a tank as goldfish produce a lot of waste and are way to big for such a tiny tank. You will need lots of water changes or it will not be good for the goldfish.

BTW, goldfish aren't tropical fish either, but you probably know that. What sort of fish do you plan of having in the tank?

 

[rickA6]

We were told molly's are good to keep and we where also thinking about platies.