Nitrite levels

[rooooster]

My tank is now 27 days old and i have tested the water and i have no ammonia but my nitrite levels are through the roof !!! I have cichlids so they are coping ok but can someone tell when the levels should start going down before i start loosing fish or how i can help the levels go down. One of my fish is ill but i can't treat it because of the high levels.

 

[The-Wolf]

do a 75% water change now.

 

[rooooster]

But i thought you wern't supposed to do more than 50%?

 

[The-Wolf]

But i thought you wern't supposed to do more than 50%?

75% is fine once in a while, especially when you have high ammonia or nitrates

the rule is never do a 100% water change

 

[Tolak]

The 50% deal has to do with normal circumstances. High nitrites is not normal. 75% now, & 50% daily until they drop, then you continue with a normal water change schedule.

Tolak

 

[rooooster]

Ok thanks. I will do that but is there anything i can add or do to the water to cure popeye?

 

[sylvia]

It is generally agreed that popeye is the result of internal bacteria. In an uncycled tank it would be unwise to treat as you risk the biological filtration that you are working so hard to establish. However, the fish will need immediate medication if it is to survive and should be isolated to stop the disease from possibly spreading. As such, this is when a 5 - 10 gallon quarantine/isolation tank would come in handy. If you don't have a spare tank, use a bucket. You will need to get hold of an airstone and small heater immediately and some anti-internal bacteria med. Treat the fish in the bucket and do daily water changes to keep the unfiltered water in reasonable condition.

 

[rooooster]

Ok thanks. i will try that and hopefully save it.