nitrite reduction problems

Question
Hi,

We are hoping you can help us as we are getting conflicting advise regarding proper water maintainance.  Currently the nitrites in my daughter's tank are climbing. We tried 25% water changes every other day but they were not improving.  We were then told to do a 50% water change but began to wonder if we were getting solid advise so asked another expert who told us absolutely not to do that but to add TLC and let the bacteria colonies do the job.  We stopped the water changes temporarily  but the nitrites ( and other levels) are now worse than ever.  I read your adivse to another writer with the same issue and have done a 30% water change just now.  I added stress zyme and stress coat to the new water as well as I had been doing with my other water changes. We need solid advise-we are so tired of guessing! I should tell you we got off to a rocky start and this tank has only been set up for 6 weeks.  If water changes are the answer, how much and how often and for how long should we do them? Thanks so much for your advise.  

Answer
Hi Lisa,
I'm sorry you have been getting conflicting advise, that happens a lot!

Everybody has their own opinion, and some are better than others. But I do know that in my experience as well as the experience of several other fishkeepers that during cycling the best and easiest thing to do is to test your water everyday for ammonia and nitrites and whenever they are out of the "safe zone" -or- if your fish look stressed then to do an immediate 30-50% water change (the larger water change if the levels are really bad or if your fish seem terribly off) That's basically all there is to it. You can add bacterial supplements but they won't solve your problem completely. Your tank just needs some time to get established completely. Since it is 6 weeks old it must be nearly there.

Just make sure your fish still seem healthy--make sure they aren't gasping, don't have clamped fins or dull color and test your water everyday, whenever there is a problem just do a 50% water change (always make sure the replacement water is equal in temp to your tank and is dechlorinated with a good water conditioner. It helps to have a water conditioner that neutralizes ammonia and nitrite to use along with your water changes such as Amquel+, Prime or Aquasafe)

Once your tank gets cycled and established which is indicated by consistant ZERO readings for ammonia and nitrite and a reading or Nitrates, you can move on to just doing partial 30% or so water changes once or twice a week and you won't have to test the water everyday anymore, testing your water about once a week is a good measure to make sure all is still well in your tank and your water change schedule is sufficient. You should try to aim to keep your nitrates at 20 or less. Lower is always better! ;-)

I really hope this helps and best of luck with your aquarium!!
Karen~