High nitrite level

[izzy123]

Hi I'm new in fish keeping and had my tank of fish for 3 weeks. I have been told by the aquarium staff to only let the tank cycle for a few days before introducing the fish in to the tank which later I found out about the 3-4 weeks cycling online. The staff also didn't tell me to test my water ph, nitrite or ammonia level, so after I saw the info online, I went and bought a master test kit.
The ammonia is normal, but the nitrite level is really high, nitrate level is about 20ppm. So follow the instruction on the master kit booklet, I went and bought Nitra-zorb, API Stress Zyme and did 40-50% water change yesterday. The Nitra-zorb and stress zyme have been in the tank for 5 days already but the nitrite level is still very high(almost like nothing has changed), did a water change yesterday and tested just now and still nothing has changed.
Usually how long does it take for nitra-zorb to take effect? I placed the pouch inside my filter above the carbon cartridge where the water flow through it directly.
My tank is about 30 gallons and its freshwater aquarium.

[MCHRKiller]

At this point in the cycling progress adding chemical media will only hinder you, allow the tank to cycle naturally. Keep levels in relatively safe levels with water changes. Stress Zyme has questionable results, you would be better off bumming some used filter media from someone to help establish the tank as it is full of beneficial bacteria that break down both ammonia and nitrite. I also suggest you read further on the nitrogen cycle. It is a dis-justice that you were not informed by your store, however this is very common...it is a classic case of research before you buy and take everything with a grain of salt.

Would it be possible for you to return the fish and do a proper cycle? How many and what type of fish were added? What is your filtration system?

[Lady Hobbs]

Clean nothing and keep up with those water changes. 10-15% water changes do nothing. You need to do 50-60% when toxins get high like that for any effect at all. If one doesn't help, then do another. Make sure you are adding dechlorinator to the water before filling the tank back up.

DO NOT CLEAN THE FILTER!!!!!!!!! And read the cycling threads. Can't answer regarding the nitra-zorb. Never used it and that's what water changes are for.

[izzy123]

I have 6 small size goldfishes, its an aquaone tank with 2 filtration cartidge, each with ceramic noodles, black sponge and carbon cartridges. I also have an airpump in the tank to keep up with the oxygen.
I don't think it's possible to return the fishes as it's already 3 weeks ago and I think they only accept a return within 1-2 weeks.
So should I remove Nitra-Zorb from the filter and keep up with the water changes? If so how often and how much shall I change the water at this stage? Can I add some aquarium salt?
All the fishes seems active and normal and eating properly.

[Lady Hobbs]

6 goldfish in a 30 gallon tank? Yikes

[izzy123]

yeah... bought them together and since they are so small so i think they could fit in my tank well... the aquarium had tens of them in a single tank the size similar to mine so i thought it would be ok..

[Lady Hobbs]

The store keeps them that way because they are sold within days and do not live out their life in there. Just like you see a bunch of Oscars in a tank for sale? They are probably feeder goldfish bought for that reason and most likely are comets.......that reach a foot long.

You may as well cycle the tank with them and then let them go into someones pond and get fish more suitable for your tank.

Read the center link in my signature.

[izzy123]

but do I need more frequent water change at the moment to bring down the nitrite level?

[imma24]

Yes - you will need to do major water changes - I would personally do twice a day (AM & PM) - to bring down the nitrites to a safe level of like .25ppm. It's your test kit that will tell you when it's time to change the water - if anything (except nitrates) is above .25 then you need to do a 50% water change.

If you nitrites are that high now and your ammonia is good (meaning no higher than .25 while cycling), you might be close to finishing your cycle. You have to protect your fish but you also need some ammonia present to grow bacteria in your filter (ammonia feeds the bacteria).