Nitrite Problem Also

HI, I have a 55 gallon and a friend of my sons gave us his whole collection of mixed africans. The tank was probably only half cycled but we had no choice and had to take the fish now. The ammonia after peaking is now almost down to zero but the nitrites are high. I have been trying a 25% change every 2 days and today and last Wed did a 50%. According to the test Im using the nitrites are still way too high. Checked the water from the tap and almost no nitrites are present. The Nitrates come down after the change. Any suggestions? What is the possibility that the tetra aquasafe I'm using with the water changes is giving me innacurate readings on the nitrite? The fish seem fine, even getting a lot of color back and a few had small ulcers that are healing after I took the salt up to 1.5% Any help would be appreciated.
John

Nitrites will come down slowly as the bacteria colony grows. You must
make sure you have adequate biological filtration for the bacteria to
colonize. If you're feeding daily, drop the amount your feeding to what they
can consume in about 30 seconds every other day. This will reduce the amount
of wasted food adding to the problem and also reduce the waste produced by
the fish. No worries, they'll survive it just fine.
The water changes may slow down the cycling process, but in the long run
the fish will be better off for it. Adding the salt is also a good step as
it helps the fish breath easier. If you have a local fish shop that sells
bio-spira, that can help as well. It won't be any help in the long run if
you're lacking in the filtration department. You may want to think about
adding a HOB filter with a bio-wheel or a large sponge filter.
Good luck
Tim
http://www.fishaholics.org

"jk710" wrote in message
...

HI, I have a 55 gallon and a friend of my sons gave us his whole
collection of mixed africans. The tank was probably only half cycled
but we had no choice and had to take the fish now. The ammonia after
peaking is now almost down to zero but the nitrites are high. I have
been trying a 25% change every 2 days and today and last Wed did a 50%.
According to the test Im using the nitrites are still way too high.
Checked the water from the tap and almost no nitrites are present. The
Nitrates come down after the change. Any suggestions? What is the
possibility that the tetra aquasafe I'm using with the water changes is
giving me innacurate readings on the nitrite? The fish seem fine, even
getting a lot of color back and a few had small ulcers that are healing
after I took the salt up to 1.5% Any help would be appreciated.
John


--
jk710

Previous posts follow.

Tim's right (as usual) -- what's happening in your tank is normal, you're
about halfway through the cycle. When we cycle a new tank, one of the most
important things we can do is simply have patience and allow it to go
through it's process. Keep up your water changes to soften the nitrite
spike, and you'll be good to go. -- Mark


"Amateur Cichlids" wrote in message
...
Nitrites will come down slowly as the bacteria colony grows. You must
make sure you have adequate biological filtration for the bacteria to
colonize. If you're feeding daily, drop the amount your feeding to what
they can consume in about 30 seconds every other day. This will reduce the
amount of wasted food adding to the problem and also reduce the waste
produced by the fish. No worries, they'll survive it just fine.
The water changes may slow down the cycling process, but in the long
run the fish will be better off for it. Adding the salt is also a good
step as it helps the fish breath easier. If you have a local fish shop
that sells bio-spira, that can help as well. It won't be any help in the
long run if you're lacking in the filtration department. You may want to
think about adding a HOB filter with a bio-wheel or a large sponge filter.
Good luck
Tim
http://www.fishaholics.org

"jk710" wrote in message
...

HI, I have a 55 gallon and a friend of my sons gave us his whole
collection of mixed africans. The tank was probably only half cycled
but we had no choice and had to take the fish now. The ammonia after
peaking is now almost down to zero but the nitrites are high. I have
been trying a 25% change every 2 days and today and last Wed did a 50%.
According to the test Im using the nitrites are still way too high.
Checked the water from the tap and almost no nitrites are present. The
Nitrates come down after the change. Any suggestions? What is the
possibility that the tetra aquasafe I'm using with the water changes is
giving me innacurate readings on the nitrite? The fish seem fine, even
getting a lot of color back and a few had small ulcers that are healing
after I took the salt up to 1.5% Any help would be appreciated.
John


--
jk710