I set up a fish tank almost a month ago and I'm having some problems...?

Question

For some reason my NITRITE levels seem to get worse rather than better (I test my water with one of those 6 test in 1 strips) and I don't know what to do. Ive bought "biozyme" which is supposed to help lower the nitrite levels but it doesn't seem to be working. The only thing I could think was wrong was the gravel I have in my tank is very old (used in at least 3 other tanks) but the person @ the pet store said that shouldn't matter. Ive replaced my filter, and did a 20% water change but still have high nitrite...I'm at the point where I just want to start over from scratch or GIVE UP!!! If anyone has any ideas that you think would help please let me know.

Answer 1

1) empty your tank

2) either clean your gravel with salt and rinse it throughly 3/4 times or i'd just buy new gravel, either way still wash the gravel just with water if its new gravel

3) clean your tank with salt NOT soap

4) pour in the gravel and add water

5) dont add the filter or air supply in

5) treat the water and stir it around for 2/3 minutes

6) wait an hour or so and install your accessories and turn them on

see what results you get then.

dont add any fishes until 24 - 48 hours

and don't add more than 3 -5 fishes see how they react over a week

i just started up my tank about 3 weeks ago and i followed them steps which i made up my own after researching and my fishes are doing very well =)

Answer 2

Replacing the filter was the worst thing you could do, you removed most of the cycle bacteria that were beginning to establish in there, now you have to almost start again.

A single 20% water change will not fix the problem, if your nitite was 5 before it will still be 4 after the change, still too high.

Do multiple partial water changes, maybe 30-40% each day to bring the level down, then just wait for the new filter to cycle.

There isn't really any shortcut or magic potion, unless you have access to a tank thats already set up. Then you can get some working filter media from that to jumpstart your new tank.

But the water changes, as often as needed, will keep your fish alive untill the cycle settles down.

Ian

Answer 3

Those test strips are not very accurate to start with and using something that binds up the nitrite will make them even worse.  Nothing gets rid of nitrite but water changes or having enough bacteria.  Biozyme is a waste of money.  

By replacing your filter you got rid of a lot of your good bacteria so in a sense you already did start over.    Keep doing partial water changes (everyday if you need to), forget adding chemicals to try and make it right and don't change the filter again.  You only change filter media in a tank when it literally falls apart.  Just rinse it in used tank water and put it back.

It usually takes a tank 4 to 6 weeks to completely cycle so your tank was probably on track until you started messing with it.

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