Nitrite problems

[hairball]

can anyone help? i can't find any info on how to sort out my nitrite problems, not sure what to do, my pump has been running for 3 weeks now and i have had 2 small angels in for about 4 days
any ideas on what to do?
thanks

 

[Bearfan]

Under ideal conditions, the cycling process is typically about a month, but if conditions are not ideal, it can take up to six.

I recommend this article: http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html for an explanation of the entire cycle process and the trends. You can also do a search on this site for a lot of discussions on the ammonia/nitrate/nitrite cycle.

Patience is the best recommendation I can give.

 

[reefrunner69]

Moved to the FW getting Started forum....reefrunner69

If this is a SW tank...let us know and we'll move it to the SW forum. I concur with Bearfan's assesment, it's too early to be expecting 0 nitrites.

 

[reefrunner69]

LOL, apparently Bearfan beat me to the move...

 

[hairball]

sorry was not sure where to ask, i'm doing what i was told by the retailer who sold me the tank, he told me 2 - 3 weeks for cycle? should i take the fish out or will they be ok for now ?

 

[Bearfan]

Do you have somewhere else to put them (ie: an established tank)? Angels can be really sensative.

 

[hairball]

no i only have this 1 i have an old 3 foot 1 but it has a large crack in the glass and nothing to heat or filter it, i've spent all my spare money on this 1 the only way i can take them out is to take them back to the shop

 

[hisc1ay]

Your best bet right now might just be a water change. If you have insanely high nitrite, do about a 10-20% water change. Also make sure your ammonia is low. If your nitrite is really high, your ammonia should be little or nothing. At least mine was.

Keep us posted.

-j

 

[angelstiger]

Not to be the guy who slaps the kids hand. but this is the second entry I have seen today from someone who is trying to cycle a tank with angels. Angels are a fish that is fairly sensative to water conditions and will probably not survive the stress of cycling. In my opinion the best fish to cycle a tank with are zebra danios. They are cheap and they are hardy. You know even those of us who have been doing this for years, Don't put a fish in a tank until we are sure we have the right conditions for them to live a long happy life. Research, Research Research. Make sure you know what your doing, before you do it. Your dealing with a life form, not a room decoration.

 

[hairball]

please don't slap my hand! i was working on the info i got from the guy in the shop who sold me the set up, he told me it would be ready for fish after a 2 week cycle. just to say my angels are fine the seem to be happy enough

 

[angelstiger]

This is such a big problem. LFS with uninformed employees, that are more interested it making a sale, than they are concerned with providing happy homes for the pets they sell. I'm not saying, that your not doing your best Hairball. I'm sure you are.

i was working on the info i got from the guy in the shop who sold me the set up, he told me it would be ready for fish after a 2 week cycle.

This is the problem. Either this guy didn't know what he was talking about, or he didn't give a care. Take that hand slap I gave you. And pass it on to who it really belongs to. The LFS clerk, who lied to you. After a 2 week cycle? without fish? OMG, This guy is lucky he is in the UK, because I am a big guy. And I am not too happy with him right at the moment.
I hope your angels make it through the stresses of cycling. Do what you can for them. They are such graceful beautiful animals. You made one really good choice Hairball. You logged on to this website. Stick around, learn. Make some new friends. Welcome

 

[reefrunner69]

please don't slap my hand! i was working on the info i got from the guy in the shop who sold me the set up, he told me it would be ready for fish after a 2 week cycle. just to say my angels are fine the seem to be happy enough

Unfortunately you'll find that lots of LFS and their employees no absolutely jack __it about keeping fish, and proper maintenance. We get this alot, and you'll have to forgive us if we occasionally let our frustration with the LFS of the world show through. I'm glad your angels are doing ok, and I agree you need to be doing some waterchanges to keep the nitirtes down.