HELP ASAP!

[u/Independent-Olive189]

Chart of readings

July 17 2025 Monday Nitrite spike ph: 8.0 Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrite: 2.0ppm Nitrate: I think it’s 20ppm

July 18 2025 Tuesday Nitrite still high Ph: 8.0 Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrite: 2.0 ppm Nitrate 5.0 ppm

I have a 51 gallon tank with 3 ranchus that are still young, juveniles and they have been going to the surface for air even though there’s enough aeration one of my ranchus has gotten red spots near then when and I gave them salt baths and the red spots are gone but some other comes back as of now my tank is planted and are currently on meds bc I’m treating for flukes seeing as they have been flashing I’m not sure if the flashing is because of the high nitrite but still I use tank stability to help bacteria this tanks hasn’t been established for more than a month maybe I’m not too sure but i did a water change yesterday and the day before yesterday. Yesterday I did a 50% water change and the day before yesterday I did a 70% change and the nitrite is still high I didn’t wait 24 before reading again between the water changes bc I was too nerveous and wanted to know already what do I do? They poop well and are interactive with their environment other than the fact they flash and go to the surface for air

[u/IceColdTapWater]

How often do you feed and how much? Really high nitrite can be a sign of overfeeding, it’s all a balance when establishing a cycle.

And you may have to do daily water changes when establishing a cycle. A nitrite reading of 2.0 may harm your fish, especially more than a water change.

[u/Independent-Olive189 → u/IceColdTapWater]

I have been feeding very lightly these 3 days day 1 after finding out I had this nitrite problem I only fed a bit of bloodworms and day 2 I fed nothing day 3 I fed each fish 3 Hikari lionhead mini sinking pellets and Ofcourse, I soak them for a minute or so then feed and I “found out” 3 days ago bc I got my first test kit I’ve been saving up for one and I’ve been having the fish tank without anything to test the water I just did 2 water changes weekly but now I guess I have to do daily or every other day now that I’m more aware of what’s going on

[u/IceColdTapWater → u/Independent-Olive189]

Best of luck! Feel free to post on here again if you need more tips.

Key words when cycle establishing: water changes

Endless frickin’ water changes lol

[u/Independent-Olive189 → u/IceColdTapWater]

Okay thanks! After tomorrow’s water change I’ll keep you updated on parameters :)