Nitrite Question

[Betta_Lover]

I have a question about nitrite levels and how to lower them. I have had my 10g setup for 6 weeks now, unfortunately I did not do my homework and research and did not know how to do a fishless cycle nonetheless even know that it could be done. Anyway, I did not do a fishles cycle and I think my cycle is now complete but my nitrite levels are still at the dangerous level.

I have a 10 g with 1 mollie, 1 platty, an algae eater and 4 snails. Also have a filter and air stone.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[cocoa_pleco]

do a water change to get the levels down.

[Lady Hobbs]

The nitrites will decrease and then you will have high nitrates. With both (as well as with ammonia) you will have to do water changes to keep the levels out of the dangerous range. Some fish can not take nitrite levels at all and will die from black blood disease. (Their organs fail.)

[Betta_Lover]

I was hoping that doing a 50% water change would help and I did one earlier this morning but it seems like doing the water change did nothing in the way of lowering the levels, not even a little bit.

[Chrona]

I was hoping that doing a 50% water change would help and I did one earlier this morning but it seems like doing the water change did nothing in the way of lowering the levels, not even a little bit.

That's because they are constantly getting produced. Keep doing them. What kind of algae eater btw?

[Betta_Lover]

I purchased the algae eater at Meijer. Just had Algae eater on the tag. Its small and yellow in color.

[Chrona]

I purchased the algae eater at Meijer. Just had Algae eater on the tag. Its small and yellow in color.

Probably a gold algae eater (similar to chinese algae eater). In any case, just keep doing water changes to get the nitrites down. It's a good idea to keep at least some nitrites in the tank or your cycle won't progress.

[Betta_Lover]

I will keep doing the water changes. Thanks to everyone for your help, it is much appreciated! I will keep you all up to date on how it goes.

[Betta_Lover]

Well, I wanted to keep everyone up to date on this problem I seem to be having. Since my last post I have been doing 50-75% water changes everyday hoping that would help with the high levels of nitrite and unfortunately it has not. I am hoping that my cycle will progress enough so that the beneficial bacteria will begin to stabilize the nitrite. My question now is, is there anything I can get to help with keeping the nitrite from harming the fish? I am hoping that the fish will not die from nitrite poisioning. Any help is appreciated!

[genitor]

Salt reduces the toxicity of nitrite. Not sure how much to use.
Maybe someone else can say.
Also some fishes can't tolerate salt.

[kimmers318]

I also have heard of success using Prime dechlorinator as it claims to detoxify ammonia and nitrite but yet leave it available for the cycle. The downside is that some water test kits will still test positive for higher levels as they can't distinguish from harmful and detoxified ammonia or nitrite.

[Betta_Lover]

Ok, to keep everyone updated it has been about a week since I last posted. My nitrite levels are finally coming down after a dozen water changes and using Seachem's Stabilize to help with the cycling process.

Now I kinda have a new problem, I have a friend who is moving out of the state and she had a 20g tank of her own with 2 electric blue lobsters, ghost shrimp, 1 male and 2 female bettas, and a few snails. She was able to get rid of her other fish but did not have any where to give the lobsters and bettas so I took the bettas and one of the lobsters. Any suggestions on what to feed the lobsters? Some people say that they will eat the flake food and any thing that goes to the bottom but is there any certain food that it needs? Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!