Hello All, need help with high NITRITES!!!

[silver]

Hi,
Well.......don't know if any of you remember the poll I started a few days back on what our Ammonia and Nitirites REALLY were like, but in that thread I discussed the problems I've been having with my 55 gallon......here's the link in case you'd like to reread or catch up!!!
My Sad 55 gallon Story

My ammonia is now at 0 ppm THANK GOD!!! But my nitrItes are still over 10ppm !!!! !!! I've been doing 10 - 20 % water changes every day to accomodate the little guys and to bring the nitrites down.......BUT IT ISN'T. Althouh the Ammonia did come down!!!

I need some major help here........or should I just sit it out!!

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Hey Silver

If it is cycling/re-cycling, then you can help speed things up by introducing the bacteria that deals with nitrites directly into your aquarium. Do this by grabbing filter media from a well established tank and placing this in your own fiter.

Or is this an ongoing problem?

 

[kgrehm]

Well, if you are still having troubles with the nitrites and you are doing at least 25% water changes, it is pretty hard to change it. Depending on how established your tank is, you can try to add some other decor or media from another tank so the bacterial would be able to help decompose the nitrites to nitrates.

IF that doesnt work or you are still having problems, post back.

 

[jasmine]

stop doing water changes, and stop feeding your fish for a few days. once they stop producing waste your nitrites should drop.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

stop doing water changes, and stop feeding your fish for a few days. once they stop producing waste your nitrites should drop.

The feeding is a great idea, but with the nitrites so high I'd keep doing water changes.

 

[silver]

Hi and thanks for the advice.

I will stop feeding tomorrow (already fed today ) ) So should I not feed for about 3 - 4 days, less or more??

TCA, about 4 days ago I put in half of my sponge media and 3 cups of gravel from my 30!! Honestly, after that is when my ammonia dropped to 0, but not the darn nitrItes. Like I said, my nitrAtes are at about 50 - 60 so there is plenty of that to be eating the nitrItes . I'm stumped, but I will keep doing the water changes to accomodate the little guys!!!

Thanks a ton!!!