help! new tank advice

[nagoya ragon]

Hi I set up our 60L biorb tank a month ago now. Added fish after a few days only 3 platys. Until now its been fine no ammonia but really high nitrite results for the last week. I keep doing water changes to keep the fish happy (and alive) and adding cycle, is this a new tank nitrite spike? And if so how long is it likely to last?

 

[hdultra]

IT CAN LAST FOR WEEKS, YOUR GOING TO HAVE TO TEST EVERYDAY. DAILY WATER CHANGES ETC. STAY ON TOP OF IT.. YOUR GOING TO BE BUSY. KEEP AMMONIA, NITRITE, NITRATE LEVELS AS LOW AS YOU CAN.Important Information for those new to the Aquarium Hobby



GOOD LUCK

 

[Coleallensmom]

What is the product that you are adding? It's really hard to predict how long a cycle will last...it can take 4-6 weeks (or more) to completely cycle a new tank but with your low bioload, it should not be too difficult to keep your water parameters under control. Since any Ammonia or nitrite readings over .25ppm can stress your fish, keep testing every day and keep up with those daily partial water changes.

 

[nagoya ragon]

Using nutrafin cycle. Ok sorted. Also what percentage water change is best. Guide says 20% but I've read loads of different things about which is best. Cheers for advice

 

[Fishies86]

Change enough water to get you ammonia and nitrite under 0.25.
I was changing 50% , waiting an hour, changing 50%, and again after another hour. I was doing this every day, and by the next morning my levels will be sky high.
I have heard that changing the water can stress the fish, but mine seemed quite happy with it, and seemed very interested in the plastic jug I use for scooping water out
Even if the change does stress the fish out, it'll still be less than the stress they'll feel with high ammonia/nitrite.

 

[Coleallensmom]

+1 Good Advice Fishies. Start with the 50% and see how that helps.