Anne

I got my 1rst fish tank (biorb 4 gal) just a few weeks ago. I have 3 serpae tetras, and they are pretty much lethargic! Not moving much, not eating much... My water test reading keeps on telling me that the nitrite level is dangerous? Nitrate, Ph, hardness are fine though? Can anyone help me? I feel terrible to see those little guys not doing much...

Shawnie

HI anne..welcome to fishlore....if you can get some prime, that will neutralize the nitrites for 24 hours with 50% water changes...when you have 0 ammonia and nitrites and under 20 nitrates, you will be fully cycled..if you have nitrate readings already, your getting close and the water changes with prime will help your fish bbabies..goodluck!

Anne

Thank you so much! I'll do a water change, and things will hopefully get better! Thanks again!

Lucy

Hi Anne welcome to Fish Lore

I'm sorry your serpaes aren't feeling well, I have 4 and I think they're great little fish.

It seems your fish are feeling the effects of an uncycled tank.
What are the exact readings your getting for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates and what are you using to test?

Here's a basic explantion of the cyle your tank goes through and what should be done.

First your ammonia (from fish waste and left over food) will rise.
In a few weeks you'll see the nitrite levels rise and the ammonia levels start to drop.
After a few more weeks you'll see the nitrate levels rise and the nitrite levels drop.
Ammonia and nitrites are toxic to your fish.
So until your cycle is complete, you need to keep the levels down with daily water changes
When you having readings of 0 on both ammonia and nitrites with some nitrates showing, your cycle is done.

So water changes are going to be your best friend until the cycle completes. You can use Prime as your water conditioner, this will detoxify any ammonia for 24hrs between water changes.

Good luck.

Edit: I see Shawnie has posted good advice while I was typing.

Anne

Thank you Lucy! I'm still working hard on understanding that famous "cycle"!!!! I use the quick dip (5 test) for the water test. The nitrite level is at 5.0, I think it's really bad. I'll do a water change periodically now!

Lucy

Your welcome. It took me forever to understand the cycle. I read and re-read it over and over and still posted questions trying to get it. lol

Consider getting a liquid test kit like the API master kit. It's much more reliable than the strips and although it seems costly at first, it provides more tests than the strips, which aren't accurate.

Keep up with the daily changes and you should be fine.

Edit: This explains the nitrogen cycle more thoroughly:

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Anne

Yes, there is so much to learn!!! But I'm motivated, and already so attached to my little guys!
Thanks again!

Lucy

Your welcome, we love pics, so post some when you get a chance.