Very Long Nitrogen cycle

[obiwan1968]

60 Gallon fresh water tank 2 months old. 6 fish. (small guys under 2" a piece) I feed them very little once a day, sometimes less.
My nitrites seem to be maxed on my API test kit now for over a week even after a 25 % water change. Ammonia at 0, Nitrates are just starting to edge up beyond 0.
Should I do daily water changes? The fish seem to be taking the high level just fine.
Thanks!

 

[jlk]

If your nitrites are maxed, you need to start doing big wcs immediately. They need to be brought down to .25ppm or less. Using Prime or Amquel plus as a water conditioner will also help between water changes as they detox ammonia/nitrite up to 1ppm.

I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?! - Aquarium Advice

 

[Coyne]

Nitrite is more toxic to fish than ammonia is. Quite frankly, I'm surprised your fish aren't dead already.
Like the poster above stated, you need to do lots of large water changes until you get safer water ( .25ppm or less).

 

[obiwan1968]

Nitrite is more toxic to fish than ammonia is. Quite frankly, I'm surprised your fish aren't dead already.
Like the poster above stated, you need to do lots of large water changes until you get safer water ( .25ppm or less).

I surprised also! I didnt want to get fish so soon but my kids were bugging me. I am going to go out today and buy Prime. You're not the first one to tell me to use the product. Thanks!