Nitrite Problem!

[jonp13579]

i have just set up my first tank. its only a 60L i was hoping for bigger but i was stuck to a budget. i had it running for around 2 weeks before i added fish. i added 5 mollies and a week later one of my mollies died. i tested the water for ammonia and it was clear so i tested it for nitrite. my tank had a high amount of nitrite in it. i have been doing partial water changes of around 20% every 2 days since i added the fish so carried on for the last week.i did another test yesterday and the nitrite was at such a high level i did around a 40% change and tested it today and got the same result. i have been adding filter start and treating fresh water i put into the tank. i have also used API stress coat.
any advice on what i could do to get the nitrobacter to boom in my tank?

 

[paulbr1]

I would say read the new to the hobby section on "fish in cycling" as you are cycling with fish in the tank, somebody more experienced than me will come along with advice - but your best bet is frequent water changes but i would say everyday as the Ammonia and Nitrite are toxic to the fish, dont panic I have done the same and all may not be lost.

Paul.

 

[greenscooby]

I got caught in a fish-in cycle,do a 50% water change asap, leave it for 15 mins then do another test, this is to make sure that your tap levels are safe, if your ammonia or nitrITES are high do another water change, you could be up for 2 maybe 3 water changes per day for a couple of weeks, do a water test approx 1hour after every water change, it's a real pain in rear but trust me it's well worth the effort, as paulbr1 already mentioned read the fish-in thread,

Your in for the long haul, stick with it and you'll be rewarded.

Mark.

 

[cooldude]

The nitrite bacteria take the longest time to get setup. Frequent water changes is the way to go.

If you can return the fish, it may be better to do so and complete the fishless cycle.

http/aquarium-setup.blogspot.com/

 

[OldMan47]

You are in a fish-in cycle if you have any fish left JonP. The aim of your water changes needs to be keeping both ammonia and nitrites at less than 0.25 ppm. If it takes a 75% water change to accomplish that, you need to do a 75% water change. Doing 3 25% water changes will not have the same effect on water chemistry. There is no good reason to hold back when the fish's welfare is at stake. Any fish will do better with good water chemistry than with "aged water". Be sure to treat the new water with a decent dechlorinator, any of the name brands will do, and try to match the new water's temperature to the old tank water. If you find that a large water change has not been enough, do not hesitate to do another large change the next hour in order to get your fish into decent water. They will definitely appreciate the improvement.

 

[jonp13579]

ok so i have been doing endless water changes for the past week, around 80% a day and still no results its driving me mad another one of my fish has fallen ill with no recognisable symptoms so that must be the water, all these water changes are taking its toll on my treatments which arent cheap i might just have to take the fish back until its under control.

 

[oscars r ace]

get a pureigen bag, it's a bag with stuff in it, put it in the flow of the water thruough the filter or atached to the spray bar, it nutralises ammonia, nitrate and nitrite, it really does work, although you should use it in conjuncion with regular water changes, you know when it is exausted as it turns brown