Nitrite levels too high?

Question

Hi all. I've had a 40l tank set up for four weeks. Left it for a week before adding two small (2") fantails. The ammonia levels are at 1ppm, the nitrate levels at 5 ppm and nitrite is at 5ppm. I'm worried that the nitrite levels are still high - is this normal?

Also, I'm on holiday for ten days starting next week (surprise holiday, otherwise wouldn't have got the fish!). I was going to add the tetra-fin 14 day gel blocks (in preference to the plaster of paris things) - will this affect the levels of nitrite etc?

Answer 1

Your tank is cycling. Cycling is another name for the nitrogen cycle that is active in your tank. If you have had your tank active(with fish) for four weeks it is normal to have a high nitrite and the beginning of a nitrate spike. I am sure you have already had your ammonia spike and the high ammonia part of the cycle will be over. Expect to see your nitrate spike and quickly dive off and you nitrate will slowly increase over the next 20 days. The nitrogen cycle is affected by decaying material, fish waste, and food so it is very sensitive. I have never used the gels personally, but i would suggest instead (because the gels sound like they may have an effect on the tank) that you get a timed feeder. I use one even when I am at home and it has never let me down.

Here is mine: http://www.aquariumguys.com/nutramatic.h...

Good luck with the tank!

Also I noticed you didnt have a pH reading. It's not very relevant to the nitrogen cycle but it is very important to monitor, so if you aren't you should think about it.  

There is also a great book that I use constantly, it has absolutely everything in it you could ever need to know about fish tanks. http://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-Mari...

Answer 2

your tank is still cycling and the levels you have stated are normal durning a cycle.