how to get my nitrites down

[watson0720]

please help i can't get my nitrites down and my GH is around 300

[Ellen]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

Do you still have the goldfish in the tank? Have you added other fish yet? If not then I think you need to wait for your tank to finish cycling. Do you know the numbers for your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Until your ammonia and nitrite reach 0 for a few days, you're still cycling your tank. You're really going to have to wait this out. If you're concerned about the lives of your goldfish, then do a small water change daily, but know that small water changes will slow down your cycle. When did you first set this tank up?

Ellen

[Ellen]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

OK, if I read your other post right, your tank has been set up since the 18th. If so, you're going to have to wait awhile still before you can get the fish you want for your aquarium. It can take anywhere for 2-6 weeks for a tank to cycle, and you're about a week and a half in.

Ellen

[Smokin_Cache]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

I agree with Ellen. Waiting for the nitrite fall in the nitrogen cycle is the longest part. But from I have seen with my tank and heard you won't see it fall it will just be at 0 when you check it.

[watson0720]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

the tank has been set up since the 16th and the fish have been in since the 18th or 19th, yeah i talked to the LFS and they said the same think, patience patience, i think i am just in to big a hurry to see something besides the ugly goldfish!!!!!!

[Ellen]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

Yeah, but you'll be glad when you don't have to watch your pretty (and more expensive) fish die!   Waiting is hard, but in a few weeks you'll be seeing your reward!!

Ellen

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

Used a product called Kent Marine Ecco-start.  It cut my Nitrites from 5 ppm to 0 in less than 2 days.

I know that Tropical Fish Depot off I-45 and Almeda has it on the shelf

Best of luck!

[swinters66]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

I was at my lfs and saw a moss ball....the owner said it's good for nitrites....not sure how I didnt have time to ask him, and that was the first time Ive seen something like that....its a ball of green moss...I need to ask him what kind. Just a thought, I mean if it actually does work on getting nitrites down.

[Mzungu]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

About the moss ball, I think I remember you talking about that on another post as well? I believe they're not actually moss, but a type of algae. However, from what I've heard they stay in the ball shape. So, they're like any other plant, in my opinion, in that they help lower nitrates. I don't know about nitrites and plants, but as far as I know, with nitrites you really just have to wait it out. If you're getting a really high reading, and/or your fish seem a bit stressed out, I'll echo Ellen that you might want to do a small water change. It shouldn't prolong your cycle by much.

[ItsDubC]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

I was at my lfs and saw a moss ball

Being that ur from Conroe, I assume ur talkin about Fish R Us.  I asked one of the employees there about the moss balls too cuz I was thinkin of puttin one in my HOB filter haha.  I asked how fast they grow and he said they stay the same size.  Does that even make sense?

Anyway, I seem to remember reading an article stating that even tho plants uptake nitrates and nitrites, they make their proteins from ammonia.  This means that it takes more energy for a plant to use nitrate or nitrite as an energy source because it has to expend energy to convert the nitrate or nitrate to ammonia before it can even use it.  This is why plants, given the choice to use ammonia or nitrate, would rather use ammonia as an energy source cuz no effort is required to convert it into a usable form.  The article also showed tabular data indicating that plants uptook ammonia about 4 times faster than the time required to take up equal amounts of nitrate.  Hopefully someone w/ more knowledge can verify this info.

[Ellen]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

It kinda does make sense because they grow so slowly. They're also called Marimo Balls. If you provide lots of nutrients, they will grow faster, but they generally grow pretty slowly. Yes they are algae. You can find out more information about them by doing a search for "Marimo Balls". I wouldn't count on the Marimo Balls to control your nitrite. The products they sell to instantly cycle your tank may or may not help control your nitrite problems, but if you're really impatient, I would try one that is being recommended to you by the other fine folks here over a Marimo Ball.

Ellen

[swinters66]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

Yes it was Fish R Us. I too asked if they really work and one young guy there told me they do, and they do grow, but didnt say how large or how quickly.  I am going to google marimo ball Ellen...I'd like to check them out more.

[Smokin_Cache]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

Watson what are you doing tomorrow? Don't go buy any cycling products!!! I have a 90g dose of Bio Spira you can have. I have it in the fridge and I am not going to use it before it goes bad. I have tried to sell and give it away for a while now. Conroe is a little ways from Baytown, but if you are willing to drive it the stuff is yours. Costs somewhere around $30. I also have some ammonia stick tests and some 5in 1 sticks you can have. Although I don't trust there number I do trust thier zeros. And they will give you some idea of how it's going.

[swinters66]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

Ok, let me see what our plans are this weekend...hubby works all day today but we are both off tomorrow and had planned on running around...fish store perusing and such....so if its ok, I can email you later tonight and let you know...thanks!

[Smokin_Cache]

Re: how to get my nitrites down

That sounds great! Just let me know what time yall will be over this way. I will PM you with my address so you can look it up on mapquest. I can give you directions to.