nitrites!

Question
I've had a tank set up for close to a month, and I didn't learn about testing for nitrites until after I added a decent number of fish.  It's a 30 gallon tank with 9 small and various barbs, two parrot fish and a pleco. The nitrites are still very high, and I expected to have it balanced in a month.  How frequently and to what amount can I safely change the water?

Next Q - once I get balanced, can I put neon tetras with 9 barbs and parrots, or is that just going to be expensive barbs food?

Answer
Hi Scott
Do daily water changes, about 10-20% until the nitrites come down to 0 ppm, and you have nitrates showing.  That'll mean the tank is cycled, and then you can go on a weekly schedule changing about 25-35% each week, I'd probably opt for the 35% with the parrots in there.  Doing water changes does prolong the cycle process a bit, but it's better then losing fish, which is most likely what'll happen if you don't do them.  Usually the cycle process takes anywhere from about 8-12 weeks, something longer if you're using fish to cycle the tank, because you need to do those water changes.  

I wouldn't recommend adding anymore fish to your tank, it's pushing overstocked with the parrots in there, and also depending on what type of pleco that is.  The neons won't be barb food, but parrot food :)  Learned that from experience lol.  I was actually able to keep a parrot fish in my community tank 8 years ago.  Only thing he ate or messed with was the neons.

Hope that helps and good luck with your new tank!

Christy