Nitrite Levels

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Colour3985
Puffer Fry
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:17 pm
Location: Tampa, FL

Nitrite Levels

Post by Colour3985 »

I have been cycling my tank now for a month and 4 days with three small tiger barbs(no other animals in tank). It is a freshwater 10G tank with three live plants, the rest are fake. Substrate is gravel.
I have been keeping a log of my parameters and everything is perfect except for the nitrite level. It has been increasing each week steadily. It is now at 5ppm, and I know it is supposed to be at 0ppm!
I do a 1/3 water change each week. What could be the cause of the high nitrite level and what would you recommend I could do to get it at 0?
Help please! :cry:
*~Beth~*
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Boxermom
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Post by Boxermom »

Its not done cycling yet. Once both the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero, then its done. This can take anywhere from 3-8 weeks, give or take a few.
Tina

Puffers: Auriglobus silus x1, Tetraodon travancoricus x1, Tetraodon turgidus x1, Tetraodon miurus x1, Tetraodon nigroviridis x2, Tetraodon baileyi x2, Tetraodon lineatus x1, Tetraodon palembangensis x1
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xtc
Dwarf Puffer
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 12:15 pm
Location: Richardson, Tx

Post by xtc »

My experience is that it spikes just before it drops off- so if it were my tank, I would assume you're almost home free.
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Colour3985
Puffer Fry
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:17 pm
Location: Tampa, FL

Post by Colour3985 »

Wow thanks for such quick replies, I feel much better now, I was convinced I was doing something horribly wrong!
Thanks, I'll keep checking it each week then until all the levels look good- I have my eye on a SAP at the LFS when the tank is fully cycled. I'm bringing the barbs home to my dad over the holidays, so it will just be a lone SAP in there- Cannot wait !!!! :D
*~Beth~*
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xtc
Dwarf Puffer
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 12:15 pm
Location: Richardson, Tx

Post by xtc »

Yea, I'm bored...the office is real quiet today, boss and co-workers are off and I'm leaving early- so I'm BORED!

I use a pair of Giant Danio's to help cycle my tanks- I moved them to a 10g lastnight and they always act like- "wahoo!! time to get jiggy, come here baby!!"
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