high nitrites in tap water

[lyric112209]

I'm doing a fish in cycle with 4 tetras....my ammonia is at 0, my nitrite is between 0.5-1.0 and I've been doing 50% water changes every day. I just tested my tap water for nitrites and its definitely the same as my fish water....will the BB eventually be able to take care of this or is there something else I should do?

 

[lyric112209]

Anybody have any advice??

 

[RussellC]

I'm doing a fish in cycle with 4 tetras....my ammonia is at 0, my nitrite is between 0.5-1.0 and I've been doing 50% water changes every day. I just tested my tap water for nitrites and its definitely the same as my fish water....will the BB eventually be able to take care of this or is there something else I should do?

Prime will detoxify nitrites. Just follow the dosing directions on the bottle based on your nitrite level and water volume. Bear in mind that Prime wears off within 48 hours so you may need to dose every couple of days until your biological filter is established enough to clear the nitrites on its own.

A little aquarium salt also reduces nitrite toxicity significantly, and lasts longer than Prime will (will only be removed from the tank as part of a water change). That said, I have never kept tetras, and while some web resources suggest that tetras can tolerate normal dosing of aquarium salt, you might want to research this a bit more before choosing this option.

Best!

 

[lyric112209]

Thanks...ill have to pick some up

 

[absolutangel04]

I agree with that advice.
What kind of tetras do you have? How long have you been cycling? What are you nitrates at?

 

[lyric112209]

I agree with that advice.
What kind of tetras do you have? How long have you been cycling? What are you nitrates at?

I have neon tetras, I've been cycling for over a month now, my ammonia has been at 0 for about 5 days now, so I'm assuming that part of the cycle is complete, nitrites have been up and down for awhile, nitrates are between 5.0 and 10