Nitrite Level

[RyanV]

Hi, my aquarium finished cycling about month ago, since then I have added 6 Bueno Aries Tetra, 1 Red tailed shark, and 6 Tiger barbs added about 2 weeks ago. 6 days ago I tested the water and the nitrites are in the stress level 3.0-5.00 ppm. I did a 25% water change right away waited a few days and the levels were still high I saw someone on here say they had high nitrite levels also and someone responded by telling them to do 80% water changes daily until the nitrites are gone. So I did about a 60% water change, waited a few more days and tested the water again today, and it's still high! Should I really be doing more water changes? B/c my local fish store told me I shouldn't do any water change for about a week and then test the water.

I'm very confused what I should do, Any help is greatly appreciated!

I really don't want to lose any fish, especially my shark (Although the fish seem to be acting normal)

 

[phocoena]

Test what is coming out of your tap. Your tap water may contain nitrite.

 

[RyanV]

Test what is coming out of your tap. Your tap water may contain nitrite.

Can't be my tap, I do weekly water changes on my other tank and it's ever had any problem.

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is your tank?
Brand name of test kit you are using?

 

[RyanV]

55 gallon, I think that's 200L?
API

 

[WILDER]

Even a cycled tank can go into a mini cycle once you added fish.
Added to many to soon.

All you can do is keep preforming water changes.
Increase aeration.
Or find a fish keeper who could donate you a matured filter sponge for your filter.

 

[RyanV]

Even a cycled tank can go into a mini cycle once you added fish.
Added to many to soon.

All you can do is keep preforming water changes.
Increase aeration.
Or find a fish keeper who could donate you a matured filter sponge for your filter.

How many fish should normally be added at a time?

How often should I do water changes? Because my LFS said not too?

I will check with my LFS for a matured filter tomorrow

 

[WILDER]

I would preform 50% twice daily. That's if the fish are acting ok.

How many fish should normally be added at a time?

It depends on the size of the fish. Waste production.
But I know you can get carried away.
But try not to add to many to soon.

 

[phocoena]

Test what is coming out of your tap. Your tap water may contain nitrite.

Can't be my tap, I do weekly water changes on my other tank and it's ever had any problem.

When do you do the water test? after so many days or immediately?

 

[RyanV]

Thanks. Why would the LFS tell me not too?

I waited about 2 days after each water change.

 

[WILDER]

When do you do the water test? after so many days or immediately?
[/quote]


Good Question.

I think it's in the best interest of the fish to do water changes, when you are dealing with bad water quality.
Fish suffer in bad water quality.
I can't speak for the LFS, you will have to ask them.
Some fish keepers say it slows the nitrogen cycle down. But there no evidence to support it.
I would rather do the water changes then let the fish suffer.

 

[Harlequins]

How did you cycle your tank? was it a fishless cycle adding ammonia??

Nitrite seems excessively high....

 

[RyanV]

No I had fish-in cycle

 

[RyanV]

I can't speak for the LFS, you will have to ask them.
Some fish keepers say it slows the nitrogen cycle down. But there no evidence to support it.
I would rather do the water changes then let the fish suffer.

The LFS said that changing the water so often kills all the good bacteria? I'm assuming this isn't true?

 

[RyanV]

Also would it help at all to turn up the air stones?