0.5ppm Nitrite

[SH1LLDOG]

Hello Guys,

Just wanted to ask advice on my 4 foot African tank.. I have had 0.5ppm nitrite readings for the past few days. I did a 20% WC 2 days ago but did little to reduce the nitrite reading (slightly reduced the reading until the next day)

My tank is still in the last stage of cycling and I do have some small African Cichlids in there.. I have added aquarium salt to try and reduce the affects of the nitrite reading as well as API stress zyme.

Would you recommend I keep doing water changes to get the reading down or is that level (0.5ppm nitrite) ok for the fish until it is removed by the beneficial bacteria building up in the tank?

My ammonia readings are zero and my nitrate level is only 5ppm.

Thanks in advance

[Likoma]

Hello Guys,

Just wanted to ask advice on my 4 foot African tank.. I have had 0.5ppm nitrite readings for the past few days. I did a 20% WC 2 days ago but did little to reduce the nitrite reading (slightly reduced the reading until the next day)

My tank is still in the last stage of cycling and I do have some small African Cichlids in there.. I have added aquarium salt to try and reduce the affects of the nitrite reading as well as API stress zyme.

Would you recommend I keep doing water changes to get the reading down or is that level (0.5ppm nitrite) ok for the fish until it is removed by the beneficial bacteria building up in the tank?

My ammonia readings are zero and my nitrate level is only 5ppm.

Thanks in advance

When in doubt do a water change. My rule for setting up new tanks is to place as much gunk (the fine powdery stuff found on the floor) from existing filters into the new setup. This is followed by regular water changes. This system has always worked for me. If you are an sufferer of MTS you can reseed your filter to help with the cycling.

I know I haven't really answered your question because I don't know the cause or the answer but the water change advice is sound.

Good luck

[Ducksta]

Water changes are probably your fishes best friend at the moment.

It might help protect them from any kind of 'chemical burn' especially round the gills from excessive nitrites.

Be aware though that removing the nitrites manually via WC means that the bacteria needed to colonise are going to take longer to stabilise to a level to take the whole load from the stocking levels.