Why won't my nitrites go down?

[MattCB]

I have a tank that has been running since mid-July. I chose the fishless cycling method, adding pure ammonia. It took two months for nitrites to show up. Now they have… and I want them to leave! It has been a month now since the nitrites showed up, and i have no signs of nitrates, and no sign of the nitrites going down. I was adding stress-zyme to try to “speed bacterial growth,” but stopped spending the money. One day I got a reading of zero nitrites but I think it was a faulty test for whatever reason, I got the same readings as before the next day, but I had algae growth so I thought it was okay. (I use API’s master kit).I added several more plants and three tiger barbs anyways (like an idiot). They have been in there for a week and a half now, and are doing ok, but showing signs of nitrite poisoning. Nitrites are still high with no nitrates. It’s been over a month. What can I do? Thanks!

[Newman]

Stress zyme is useless. I know cuz ive been suckered into buying it myself before. Your best bet is to return the fish, but if its too late, then use a dechlorinator like Seachem Prime to detoxify the ammonia(assuming you have any) and the nitrites. How large is this tank??? its taken that long to get where you are? thats odd.

[MattCB]

I have no ammonia, it was going away completely from 5 ppm to 0 ppm in about 12 hours, and I haven't shown any since.

The tank is 26 gallons. I've heard that it is harder to cycle a smaller tank, but I didn't think 26 was considered "small..."

It has taken forever, and I know cycling can take a VERY long time, and they say patience is the key, but its just downright frustrating!

[Newman]

Seems to be taking longer that expected for that tank. how are you adding ammonia now? using the fish as the source? That would be good, and it should work out in the next few weeks.

I hope youre not rinsing your filter media in anything but tankwater.... cuz tap will kill the bacteria youre trying to build. I wouldnt even be rinsing the media until the tank cycles.

[MattCB]

Now I am just letting the fish add the ammonia. I haven't rinsed the filter media other than very lightly to get some stuff of off one spot, and I used tank water.

[Newman]

Thats OK, it didnt effect the cycle too much then if you rinsed w/ tank water.

[FroggyFox]

I agree...it sounds very "off". If you are diligent you should be able to finish a fishless cycle in a month or 6 weeks give or take... A fish-in cycle though...that will take a lot longer. I would do a big water change to get the nitrite level down for your fish. Every once in awhile you'll see a stuck cycle with the nitrites getting stuck high for some reason, and sometimes the answer is a large water change...so as long as you are doing one, might as well make it a good one Also, adding the plants was a good move, as many times they will bring bacteria in with them to help the cycle along.

[luv2fish35]

Originally Posted by Newman

Seems to be taking longer that expected for that tank. how are you adding ammonia now? using the fish as the source? That would be good, and it should work out in the next few weeks.

I hope youre not rinsing your filter media in anything but tankwater.... cuz tap will kill the bacteria youre trying to build. I wouldnt even be rinsing the media until the tank cycles.

Hi i was just reading ur post to to this person about rinsing filter in tank water only and not tap well thats what i was doing with my filter do u think thats why im having high ammonia and problems with my tank?

[Newman]

Hold up, you mean to say what:
You rinse filter media with untreated tap water
You rinse filter meadia in treated, aged tap water
You rinse filter media in tank water

?

the best choice would be to use tank water. second best would be to use aged, and treated tap water, and the absolute worst choice is to use tap. the tap kills any and all bacteria that you worked so hard to build during your cycling. If the bacteria is gone, your ammonia will skyrocket, and kill your fish.

[OrangeCones]

Originally Posted by luv2fish35

Hi i was just reading ur post to to this person about rinsing filter in tank water only and not tap well thats what i was doing with my filter do u think thats why im having high ammonia and problems with my tank?

Chlorine and Chloramine are put in the water to kill bacteria, so its 'safe' for humans to drink it.

It will kill the bacteria in the filter very quickly, which is why you should never rinse it in untreated water. Like Newman said, the tank water you have just removed is the first choice (and you don't need to do it unless it gets really clogged). The 2nd choice is properly treated water that you would be putting into the tank.