Mike P.

What can I do to get rid of the nitrites in my 10g tank. I had 5 tetras in there now I have 4. I checked my water this morning with a test strip and all was good except the nitrite level was in the moderately stressed level. The hardness of the water was the only other thing I noticed. It was also moderately hard. I have lost 1 fish and don't want to lose any more. My kids are freaking out!! Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Faye Rod

Hi Mike - In your aquarium info it says you have had the aquarium for two weeks. You are now beginning to see the nitrogen cycle - one of the things that is recommended on this forum is to use the API liquid master test kit to test ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Once you have that kit you can really see what is going on in your tank - if your nitrites are up then your ammonia might already be dropping and you are on your way to a completed cycle. A complete cycle will test as 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and 10 plus nitrates.

When you are cycling with fish it requires LOTS of water changes - right now you should go ahead and change 50% of your water. Keep you nitrites down during cycling because it is lethal to your fish. And the way to keep them down is doing water changes. Make sure to treat the new water with a water conditioner to treat the chlorine and metals in your tap water. Prime is recommended here - I use Aquasafe and it works fine also.

Good luck!

Mike P.

Thanks Faye, Will Amquel+ work as the water conditioner? I have been using that once a week for my tank. Also, do I need anything in particular to change out the water? I have seen about pumps and things but I don't have these and wonder if there are any other options. Thanks for the advice.

Halibut

I use a 2 cup measuring cup to scoop water out of both my tanks into a 5 gallon bucket(can be smaller like a 3 gallon if you prefer). Pull out the water dump it in the sink and refill using the same bucket just make sure your only using this stuff for fish and never use soaps or detergents to clean them. I dont know about the amquel I have recently switch over to prime from the petsmart brand(Topfin) I was using.

Make sure to test daily with the api master kit and do 20-40% water changes also daily untill you get the numbers Faye listed above for a completed cycle.

susitna-flower

The simplest method to change water is to use a syphon. There are several available from pet stores or on line.

www.drsfostersmith.com is on place to find them. The one I use hooks up to the faucet in the kitchen sink, it starts the syphon by running the sink water, pulling the water out of the tank. As soon as the syphon is going you can turn off the water and drain as much out as you want, then refill with the tube still hooked up....just be sure to adjust the water to within a 2 or 3 degree range of your tank water to be careful not to shock your fish.

A much more simple method is simply to get some tubing, and syphon the "old fashioned way".....

Mike P.

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I'll give it a shot!!

COBettaCouple

Amquel+ does pretty good, although I think Prime does better plus has other benefits. Neither one smells like perfume though.