Please Help: I have high nitrite levels

watermelon

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Jan 5, 2006
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I just cycled my tank with bio spira and the readings were 0 ammonia, and 0 nitrite two weeks ago. Then I stocked my 55 gallon tank. Then today, I tested the water again and I have 0 ammonia but my nitrite is at 0.5-1...What can I do..Why it is like this?
 
You must add the bio-spira and ALL of the fish at the same time, or it will not work. Either do a large water change and wait for your tank to properly cycle, or go out and buy some more bio-spira and add it.
 
Yes, I did add fishes when I put the bio spira in. I put feeder guppies in when i first started the tank.. I checked it it was 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. And now two weeks later when I put more expensive fishes in, I have nitrite..It is at 2 now the nitrite and 0 ammonia...Is the tank cycling still when it has 0 ammonia? I also did a couple of water changes, do you think that effected the cycle with bio spira?
 
I have heard in some instances that you can get a nitrite spike with Bio-Spira. Not always, but sometimes. I would follow the advice here and do 50 percent water changes for a while. At least you've made it past the ammonia part of the cycle.
 
Unlike the Ammonia eater who are virtually indestructable, the Nitrite Eaters are fragile and probably died off due to changes in water conditions. Keep up with the water changes, they should bounce back in a couple of days.
 
from what I understand about cycles it sounds like you got a mini cycle when you added the new more expensive fish... you biological filter is able to handle the amount of fish in the tank and if you add a whole bunch more ( I dont know if that's what happened) all at once there isnt enough bacteria to handle it - mini cycle?
 
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