2 week-old tank still getting established?

[youknowho]

I have a 20 gal fw tank that has had high nitrites and nitrates both times I've had the water tested at my lfs. The results are:

Week 1 test (after 15% water change)
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 1.0

Week 2 test (after 20% water change)
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 1.5

My question is, is my tank still seeing the initial ammonia spike from being set up? The water is pretty clear and I use Aqueon water conditioner when I do water changes (not clear if this product affects nitrates/nitrites). I have 5 african dwarf frogs that are healthy (they already mated!), 5 zebra nerites, and just added 3 mts to help clean the sand substrate.

Do I need to be using Prime in addition, or doing a water change more than once a week? Thanks!

 

[CleverBs]

Id do larger water changes personally, IMO 20% isnt enough for an uncycled tank

 

[eco23]

Welcome to the site.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/artic...g-but-I-already-have-fish-What-now/Page2.html

 

[youknowho]

Thanks for the replies (and the links eco23). I'll do slightly larger and more frequent water changes until the nitrite numbers come down.

 

[joejeff]

What that link said about moving filter media or rocks over is the best practice I have found. I even buy a couple extra rocks before setting up a new tank. That way I can pull the ones in my established tank and pit them in the new one after a week of filling and replace the old ones in the established tank. Also if you have a bio wheel in an old filter, It is a gold mine!