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My aquarium is 3 weeks old. (45 gallons, 7" dempsy, 5" parrot).
Last week, the nitrite is 10 or over, I changed 1/2 of the water. Tested again last night still 10, so i changed 1/2 again. I just tested it again and the nite is still 10, should I change 1/2 of the water again in couple more days? (nitrate is OK 40)

My blood parrot has 2 black spot this week, I read it's either b/c the water quality or stress. I'm going to find a cave for her to hide.

It would appear that your tank isn't fully cycled (that normally takes more than 3 weeks unless using established bio-media; what are your ammonia readings?).

The nitrite will drop to undetectable levels once the colony of beneficial bacteria which converts nitrite to nitrate grows to the point where it is able to match the bio-load of your tank (it may take days or even weeks).

I would do daily 25% water changes and maybe add something like Prime (which detoxifies nitrite) until nitrite levels fall. I think anything greater than daily 25% water changes at this stage might stall/prolong your cycle.

Originally posted by kay-bee
It would appear that your tank isn't fully cycled (that normally takes more than 3 weeks unless using established bio-media; what are your ammonia readings?).

The nitrite will drop to undetectable levels once the colony of beneficial bacteria which converts nitrite to nitrate grows to the point where it is able to match the bio-load of your tank (it may take days or even weeks).

I would do daily 25% water changes and maybe add something like Prime (which detoxifies nitrite) until nitrite levels fall. I think anything greater than daily 25% water changes at this stage might stall/prolong your cycle.

This is an excellent post. When cycling a tank, one of the most important things to do is . . .be patient!. When cycling a tank, you are building two bacterial colonies; one that turns ammonia into nitrite, another to turn nitrite into nitrate. Normally this process takes about 4 weeks in an aquarium your size (45). First, fish waste (and any other organic material, like uneaten food, dead plant material, tec.) decomposes into ammonia. Nitrosomonas bacteria begins to feed on the ammonia, and grows into a large colony. The by-product of this is nitrite; and then a second type of bacteria, called nitrobacter, feeds on this nitrite, turning it into nitrate. When these two colonies of bacteria are established, then your tank is cycled.

The way to tell that this is happening is to use test kits. You'll first notice, after only a few days, a steady rise of ammonia. As it reaches (almost) toxic levels, as indicated by the test kit, you'll need to do a partial water change or two to "soften" the ammonia spike. Then, just as suddenly, the ammonia levels will begin to fall -- just in time for the nitrite to begin to rise! (At this point the nitrosomonas is established, and the nitrobacter is beginning to grow - -)When the nitrite spikes you'll need to repeat the water changes to "soften the blow" so to speak. Then, nitrite begins to fall off as the ammonia did. Ammonia and nitrite will settle into a constant very low or non-detectable level, and voila! You have a cycled tank. The important point is to have patience and allow the process to take place. Keep in mind that it's a process that you watch, for the most part, and do not do.

Firedragon, it sounds like you have been using only a nitrite test kit, and what you are seeing is the nitrite "spike" as described above, and at 3 weeks it sounds like it's right on time. Don't panic, simply allow the second colony of bacteria to establish and you should be OK.

--Mark:cool:

Wow! thank you for all your responses.
Some1 just offered to exchange my 45 gal for his 80 gal so I'm going to move those fish over the 80 gal. He also offered to sell me 2 8" oscars and a pair of small convicts. I want to buy them but kinna worry since I'm a newbie, don't want to kill big fish. I read convicts breed lots but my boy friend said i can use those baby fish as feeder??

Hi FireDragon,

You didn't say what type of water you are using (i.e. Spring, Well, RO, Tap). Has your water been run through a water conditioning system? This is imprtant so you know your starting piont. Test the water before you put it in the tank.

All above about the nitrogen cycle is true, and you must be patient. However, make sure you are not fighting a uphill battle. I fought a Nitrate problem for weeks only to find out my tap water was high in Nitrates from the start.

Hey Mark! How about including that cycle explanation in the FAQ's? We don't seem to have one there, and yours is very clear and succinct.

Originally posted by DanRad
Hey Mark! How about including that cycle explanation in the FAQ's? We don't seem to have one there, and yours is very clear and succinct.

Thanks, i may just do that, although i felt like i was tripping over my words there. But i thought we already had a cycling artical in the FAQs, mayhaps i'm mistaken - - --------Mark:cool: