Cannot get nitrites down

Add to your filter seachem purigen that product will absorb organic waste and will reduce your Nitrates with 24h mate

It’s not my nitrates it’s my nitrite

 

What is your ph if is lower then 6 you shut rise up a bit to at list 6.8

 

What is your ph if is lower then 6 you shut rise up a bit to at list 6.8

Ph is 7

 

Please show a photo of your tank. Maybe there is something else we can see then...

 

Please show a photo of your tank. Maybe there is something else we can see then...

It’s as bear as it’s ever been. I’ve taken out other decor

 

I do water changes frequently about once every couple days. And at a point every day for a week. I use prime, and salt as well. My tests are definitely accurate ( I use API MTK) a smaller cycled tank I had reads bright blue for nitrites but this one totally not. This aquarium stuff sucks. Why do I have to be the only one with some weird problem. All the money and time I put into this down the drain. I’m flushing my fish and draining my tank.

You really aren't the only one experiencing strange happenings. I know it may seem like you are alone but that isn't the case. Spend some time reading some of the other threads and you will see just how many folks are having issues needing to be solved. most are willing to do whatever it takes and don't threaten to flush the fish.

If you are seriously thinking of flushing live fish than I am sorry for the fish.

 

You really aren't the only one experiencing strange happenings. I know it may seem like you are alone but that isn't the case. Spend some time reading some of the other threads and you will see just how many folks are having issues needing to be solved. most are willing to do whatever it takes and don't threaten to flush the fish.

If you are seriously thinking of flushing live fish than I am sorry for the fish.

I’m just joking but it’s seriously annoying when nothing ever works. Everyone else is enjoying their quick and easy cycle NOT ME

 

I’m just joking but it’s seriously annoying when nothing ever works. Everyone else is enjoying their quick and easy cycle NOT ME

The thing is, not everyone is enjoying a quick easy cycle. If they were I wouldn't be trying to help so many folks figure out why their tank isn't cycling.

I have been reading some very good reports from folks that use Fritz-Zyme Turbo Start 700 bottled bacteria. It is one that has to be kept refrigerated so I would be concerned about ordering it online unless it is shipped in a box with ice packs. If you could find it at your local fish store it may very well get you over this hump.

 

I’m just joking but it’s seriously annoying when nothing ever works. Everyone else is enjoying their quick and easy cycle NOT ME

Mate this will learn you something and you gona have some experience for future with another set up. Dont worry Fishlore community try help you. Did you try used any kive bacteria like stability to puch your cycle little bit

 

O.k.
That is a lot of fish for a new tank.

The Bacopa plant on the right is a good start. To suck up Nitrate/Nitrite you need three to four times more of that type of plant (hope that's not only a plastik part). It's fast growing.

Your filter has only a small volume of filter materials. Nitrobacter will grow on every surface, so more plants and more filter materials like sponges will multiply your surface and help to keep up with your bioload.

This is a way to balance your bioload and get to a point where WC is needed less often. Up to then do the following:

1. Get plants.
2. Feed minimal every other day No more than completely eaten up in one minute.
3. Do 25% Waterchange. At first every day.
4. Do not add more fish.

 

I’m just joking but it’s seriously annoying when nothing ever works. Everyone else is enjoying their quick and easy cycle NOT ME

Or do you have anyone from your frends what can give to you any cycled filter media. This will help also.

 

It’s as bear as it’s ever been. I’ve taken out other decor

You may very well be underfiltered. That can cause what you are experiencing. Unfortunately the folks that make these filters highly over rate their effectiveness. I recommend using a filter that is rated for a tank at least twice as big as the tank we are running them on and even then sometimes it isn't enough.

Put the piece of decor back in there. By the looks of this tank there aren't many surfaces for the bacteria to grow on. Upgrading the filtration will help. You can either just upgrade your filter or go ahead and add another one. That is what I would do. You can never have too much filtration. I run at least 2 filters on all my tanks.

If you are concerned about too much filtration think about this. Right now I am running a filter rated for a 55 gallon tank on a 5.5 gallon tank. It is a penn-plax cascade 300. I can turn the flow down as needed for this size tank. The original filter crashed. I happened to have this one so decided to use it. It is working perfectly.

 

You may very well be underfiltered. That can cause what you are experiencing. Unfortunately the folks that make these filters highly over rate their effectiveness. I recommend using a filter that is rated for a tank at least twice as big as the tank we are running them on and even then sometimes it isn't enough.

Put the piece of decor back in there. By the looks of this tank there aren't many surfaces for the bacteria to grow on. Upgrading the filtration will help. You can either just upgrade your filter or go ahead and add another one. That is what I would do. You can never have too much filtration. I run at least 2 filters on all my tanks.

If you are concerned about too much filtration think about this. Right now I am running a filter rated for a 55 gallon tank on a 5.5 gallon tank. It is a penn-plax cascade 300. I can turn the flow down as needed for this size tank. The original filter crashed. I happened to have this one so decided to use it. It is working perfectly.

I’ll buy another penguin 100. Will the BB start activating quickly or will it take weeks.

I’ll buy another penguin 100. Will the BB start activating quickly or will it take weeks.

So I’ll have 2 filters running

 

I’ll buy another penguin 100. Will the BB start activating quickly or will it take weeks.

So I’ll have 2 filters running

This should help. Moving more water will be pulling more water through the filters. Doing so should help feed the bacteria. I don't know how quickly it will start lowering the nitrites but I have no doubt that it will help. By having the one filter situated on one end of the tank it isn't moving much water from the far end of the tank.

I would move the original filter a few inches away from the corner. I would situate the new filter in about the same place on the other end of the tank. By doing this you should get plenty of water being pulled through the filters.