nitrite

[christine]

My nitrite is finally going down , I was wondering does anyone have an idea as to when the nitrates might go down they are at 20ppm as of now, and my ammonia took 2 days to go to 0, nitrites have taken two weeks so far. I was wondering when everything goes to 0 should I immediately add my 2nd batch o' fish, or I was thinking...should I wait a couple days to make sure it stays at 0 .Before I add new fish...do I clean out the tank, do a water change or just leave them to go in as is? I was also wondering is my cycle normal...I read on the back of the package the test strips come in, when there is nirtrite, there is ammonia? I had high nitrite and no ammonia for the past couple weeks? Is that okay?

 

[aquamanis]

Hi Christine, sounds like everything is going to plan so far. If your nitrites are falling and you,ve got nitrates, you are nearing the end of the cycle. Its still too early to add more fish yet. You ideally want the nitrites to get to 0ppm. the nitrates wont go away unless you have plants using it up. This is why water changes are needed. Keep doing 20% water changes every few days untill your nitrites are completely gone. When this happens do a large water change 40-50% (do not clean gravel or filter). This will get rid of the high nitrates. Wait a couple more days and do some tests. If readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and >10ppm nitrates you are ready to add some more fish. When you do add more fish, feed lightly for a few days untill the bacteria catches up with the new bioload.