How often to perform water changes during a fish-in cycle?

[TacomaToker]

I have had fish in my aquarium for over a week now. Last night, I finally got a positive nitrite reading of about 1.0 ppm. Considering that the ammonia levels are no longer rapidly rising (and the water has gotten a bit cloudy), I am assuming the BB have started building up in there. After detecting nitrites last night, I immediately performed a ≈ 60% water change. This afternoon, I am detecting about 0.7-0.9 ppm of nitrite. I am curious, should I be performing water changes every time I detect any positive reading for nitrite?

Current water parameters:

Ph: 7.5-7.6
Ammonia: 0.4-0.5
Nitrite: 0.7-0.9
Nitrate: 7-15
Temp: 78

Any advice is greatly appreciated.. thank you!

 

[JuiceBox52]

I believe so. Do the water changes when ammonia or nitrite is detected as both are toxic to the fish

 

[Byron]

I am curious, should I be performing water changes every time I detect any positive reading for nitrite?

Yes. Long-term effects of ammonia and/or nitrite levels above zero are a threat to all fish even if they live through it.

If you can, I would strongly recommend some bacterial supplement. Tetra SafeStart, even others like Seachem's Stability cannot hurt.

 

[TacomaToker]

Yes. Long-term effects of ammonia and/or nitrite levels above zero are a threat to all fish even if they live through it.

If you can, I would strongly recommend some bacterial supplement. Tetra SafeStart, even others like Seachem's Stability cannot hurt.

I have QuickStart! Do I really need to seed the tank with more bacteria considering how fast the nitrites are rising?

Unfortunately my water contains Chloramine, so it is impossible to tell the true levels of ammonia in the tank. I will always get a result of about 0.25-0.4. Luckily I have a good amount of plants in the tank, and bacteria is now building so I am not very concerned about ammonia. The nitrite will keep me changing my water consistently for now.

 

[Fishmanic]

You need to condition any water you add to your tank with the proper dose of water conditioner to remove chlorine.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I agree. Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank. Use your de chlorinator.

 

[Byron]

Can you explain the plants, meaning, which and how many? And did you add any artificial ammonia (hope not, but need to be sure)?