Nitrite levels

[janedee]

I have had my new tank for 3 weeks now - sadly didnt know about fishless cycling - so ended up losing some fish. Have had a lot of help on here so wondered if I could pester you some more.

I have nil amonia, that has been constant since my first water change 4 days into the tanks life. But I cannot get the nitrite levels to fall. I understand that I need to be patient and wait for the other bacteria to form to start working on the nitrite but how long will that take? Still have nil nitrate.

I changed the water again yesterday (75%) and already the levels are up to 2.0. I reckon by tomorrow they will be back up to 4 . This is a constant so am having to change water every other day to try and keep the nitrite down. The fish look healthy and happy (only 4 zebra danios and 1 catfish left).

I am adding stress zyme as per the instructions, decholrifying any new water and adding some salt. I have plants. I have tested the tap water and readings of nil across all elements. PH 7.5. Is there anything else I can be doing and how long should this take? Is this normal or is ther something wrong?

Thanks - Jane

 

[Aquamick]

Hi Jane Sorry you lost some fish

In a new tank, nitrite hangs around for different lengths of time as the filter bacteria colonize. This usually takes longer if fish are introduced.
What sort of filter do you have, and what size is the tank? Stress zyme is a good idea When you say salt, do you mean aquarium salt sold for medicinal purposes in a freshwater tank, or marine salt? Also, what is your catfish? If you have a Corydoras the salt may be a problem, as most do not tolerate it. Keep up the water changes and see what happens!

 

[clutterydrawer]

Just do sufficient water changes to keep nitrite below 1ppm. Sadly the nitrite spike will alst logner than teh ammonia spike. do you have any friends with established tnaks? If so, you could take a piece of their filter media and put it in your filter.

 

[kev_kb]

You just need to be patient, I would water change every day and try to keep it under 1ppm. As Aquamick said corydoras don't like salt, and you may want to check if your other fish do also.

EDIT - Sorry looks like I was beaten to it!!