pH and nitrites soaring

[kent]

Hi everyone! I have a 35 gallon tank, which in my opinion is still cycling. It has been three weeks since I set it up. I just bought a test kit and I discovered that the water has a high pH and high nitrite levels.
pH- 7.8-8.0
nitrites- 2.0
ammonia-0
What is the best way to accelerate the cycling process? Should I clean the gravel although I did clean it once and I often do water change? Also, i've been putting bacteria starter.. Would this help lower teh nitrite levels? I have 9 fishes on the tank right now and they seem fine. I just want anyone's opinion regarding this matter. Thanks in advance!

 

[Fordaz]

Ammonia is 0 which is good, means the first half of your bacteria are established.

Give it time, eventually the Nitrites will drop too... can take a while for the bacteria to kick in effectively.

As for the PH of your water... that's risking Alkaline burns on sensitive fish. I suggest using PH Down to lower it, though some people say "never touch your PH", I think it's a good idea.

Might I ask what kind of fish you have in your tank?

 

[kent]

hi! thanks for the fast reply. I had 6 goldfish at first but I'm getting rid of them now. A friend gave me 2 black tetras and 1 pleco. Also, I have 3 serpae tetras.
what do u think are their chances of dying if ever it will take a long time for the nitrite level to go down?

Thanks again

 

[luxum]

Ph down is a bad idea. It will only cause your Ph to spike downwards, it will then spring back to right about where it was before. Very, very stressful for your fish, who are already adapted to your Ph and will not appreciate it bouncing around. Leave your Ph alone. Once you are an advanced fishkeeper you can consider modifying your Ph if you want to keep sensitive species or something, but even then Ph down is not the way to go about it.

 

[tstenback]

I'm with luxum on this. chemicals are a bad idea specially when playing with the ph of the tank. Even those with a solid knowledge of water chemistry will do everything possible before using chemicals to alter PH. luxum's advice is bang on, don't mess with your PH. The best way to accelerate the process at this point in time is to get some filter material from an established, disease free tank and add it to your filter. If thats not possible get some gravel from an established tank and hang it in your tank in a nylon stocking or fine net. If thats still not possible try either plants or ornaments from established tanks. They will all help speed the process. HTH