The Puffer Forum

I have my 3 puffer fish in my 90 gallon tank, and im having trouble with my nitrite and nitrate levels. I just started the tank about two weeks ago. I've used safe start and nutri cycle to cycle the tank but the levels are still high. What should i do? The local pet store said it wasn't a big deal and to let it take it's course?

They have given you very, very poor advice. A new tank needs to be properly cycled before it can safely support any fish. The spikes of toxic substances can be lethal and it takes 4-6 weeks to achieve a full cycle.

Please read the following article from the libary...
library/water-filtration/emergencycycle/

Thanks man you have been alot of help

Good luck,...and let us know if you have any other concerns or questions.

micalbrown wrote:I have my 3 puffer fish in my 90 gallon tank, and im having trouble with my nitrite and nitrate levels. I just started the tank about two weeks ago. I've used safe start and nutri cycle to cycle the tank but the levels are still high. What should i do? The local pet store said it wasn't a big deal and to let it take it's course?

Take the puffers back. And cycle your tank.

Buy a bottle of Seachem Prime and do as the directions say on the bottle to help detoxify the Nitrite levels. It will not remove the nitrites but will help by detoxify the high nitrites while the nitrifying bacteria still finishes cycle the tank. Worked for me when needed.

What kind of puffers & how big are they? What kind of filtration? What's the SG?

Minor correction on cycling timing. Two to three weeks are perfectly normal when it is done without fish, and the developer did intend it to be a two-week process. With fish present (so not fishless cycling) it is likely to take longer. Folks who have not done it before are also likely to have it last longer.