tang cichlids

Question
QUESTION: Hey Joe, its Lucas again i checked the water quality again when i woke up and the ammonia has gone down to 0, but i am concerned about the nitrites they have gone up to almost 2ppm. The nitrates however are up to about 20ppm so will this equal out soon or should i do a small( 20% ) water change?
ANSWER: Hi Lucas!
I think you are almost home free. I wouldn't do any water changes at this point. It is doing exactly what it is supposed to be doing.
The tank is just about cycled.
How do the fish look? Any red gills or signs of stress?
Those nitrites will be gone soon. One day you'll do a test and see them at zero.
At that tme, I would do a nice 30 - 40% change and that will drop the nitrates.
Hang in there.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The fish aren't acting weird or anything just going about their business normally. I can see some red through the gill covers on the smaller Cyprichromis but i think that is just because the gill covers are still a little transparent and thin on those smaller fish. So 2ppm nitrite isn't dangerously high? How high can nitrate go before i have to worry about it?
ANSWER: Hello Lucas,
Just as long as the redness isn't like deep blood red and they aren't gasping at the top, they are probably just a bit stressed. Sort of if you or I were out in a hazy smoggy day, you know? They feel a little off when their water isn't perfect.
As long as it is a temporary thing they should get through this fine. If it stays at 2ppm for more than 2 more days, then I would take measures to drain some significant water from there. Let me know what tomorrow brings. I will be off line for most of the morning so just be patient and I will get back to you.
If you run into an emergency where the nitrites spike higher, just do a 50% change...I doubt it though.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Joe, its me again when i woke up the levels of nitrite are still at 2ppm and the nitrates 20ppm. Should i just wait another day and see what happens,i am really worried about my fish they all look alright but im just concerned.  Would doing a water change hurt anything? If i do a water change should i skim the gravel(not really dig just skim the top to check for excess waste/food)and how much water 30-40%?  

Answer
Hi Lucas...
OK, go ahead and do a 40% change.
The bacteria has started to grow if your ammonia is zero, so now is the time to try and reduce nitrites by water changes.
If you use any salts add them back according to how much water you take out.
I generally use 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons of water. Always pre-dissolve the salt.
Let me know what the nitrite is when you are done.