Cycling help !

[Perseusmom]

My tank is finally starting to cycle and I need some help ! This is a fish in cycle. Now that I am seeing some nitrite at .25 how often should I do a water change and how much at a time ? I am using Prime water conditioner which detoxifes ammonia, nitrite and nitrate when I do water changes now but I am afraid I might be doing to many because I have read its not a good idea to have to clean water. Its a 5 gallon tank and I never do a 100 percent water change only like 50`s and 25`s and sometimes a 55 percent. If I see the nitrite getting high should I just add Prime to the tank or do a water change ? On a good note my ammonia was almost 0 this morning with only maybe a slight nitrate and .25 nitrite. Thanks for any help this is my first time trying to cycle a tank.

[shellieca]

Originally Posted by Perseusmom

My tank is finally starting to cycle and I need some help ! This is a fish in cycle. Now that I am seeing some nitrite at .25 how often should I do a water change and how much at a time ? I am using Prime water conditioner which detoxifes ammonia, nitrite and nitrate when I do water changes now but I am afraid I might be doing to many because I have read its not a good idea to have to clean water. Its a 5 gallon tank and I never do a 100 percent water change only like 50`s and 25`s and sometimes a 55 percent. If I see the nitrite getting high should I just add Prime to the tank or do a water change ? On a good note my ammonia was almost 0 this morning with only maybe a slight nitrate and .25 nitrite. Thanks for any help this is my first time trying to cycle a tank.

If you have nitrites you should do a water change, they are dangerous to your fish. If its .25 it's not too bad but do not let it go above .5. You can do a smaller water change, let it run for an hour or 2 then do another water test, if it's still high do another small water change. Bottom line is you want 0 ammo & 0 trites. Personally with a .25 I'd do a small water change, 25% which should bring a .25 down to 0.i let my test results tell me when & how much.

[Perseusmom]

Thanks Shellieca !