another nitrite question

my 10 gal is about a month old now and my nitrite readings are really high (2.0) the instructions in the API test kit says its normal for it to be this high since it's still a fairly new tank but I thought I would ask my friends here at fishlore for a second opinion here are the rest of my readings:

ammonia - 0
nitrate - 10
pH - 7.8

should I leave it alone or start with the water changes again?

 

That is normal for a cycling tank. If there are no fish in the tank, just let it go...I would not do any water changes. If there are fish in the tank, then do a 50% water change to bring the nitrite down. Sounds like you are getting close to finishing the cycle!

 

yea i've got fish in the tank, I'll be doing a water change now lol. I really hope I am nearly done with cycling, I was beginning to get discouraged.

 

It is normal during the cycle, but that doesn't mean it's healthy for the fish. At this phase you should be probably doing water changes daily (20% is fine) to keep that under control because if you aren't careful it will spike much higher then that before you are done with the cycle. However, 0 ammonia means you are really close now. Keep up the good work!

 

yea, one of our tanks is about the same age and has 2.0 for nitrites also. we did a 75% water change the day of the test and a 25% change today.. in 2 days, we'll test it and see where it's at.. the 1st thing is to keep the fish healthy but let the cycle keep progressing. You're doing very well and with the advice that you have gotten, you shouldn't be too far from being cycled.

 

yea I just did a 50% water change and I'll continue monitoring it closely for the next week or so. before that I was doing 20 to 30% changes every 3 or 4 days to keep things on check. yayie! I'm almost there lol.