No ending Nitrite on start up quarantine tank

[Guybeaux]

I've started a month ago a new 10gallon quarantine tank. It came equipped with a small hang over back filter that contain a small active carbon filled pad. I had ordered a water test kit from amazon that never seems to arrive.
So almost three weeks after start up I've put in a couple cardinal and guppies. It went well for over a week than in one night they all died. I felt very bad and upset knowing that I should have waited for the water test kit to arrived.
I've changed 80+ % of the water, vacuum it well. I added ammonia/ nitrite treating/eliminating pad to the filter.
After a week the Nitrite is still high. I than bought a 2nd Pinguin Bio wheel 100 filter and added to the existing filter + a 50% water change. 24 hour later the Nitrite is even higher. What am I doing wrong ?

[Jody]

Hi Guybeaux,

  Okay, a couple of things.
1. A typical cycling process takes 4 to 6 weeks AFTER fish or food for the bacteria are put in. So patience plays a large part of the set up time.
During this time minimal water changes and no filter cleaning should be done, so that can remove some of the bacteria and slow the process. Bacterial starters can speed up the process.
2. What pad did you put in the filter?
     What is your nitrite reading?
3.  When cycling a tank with fish, it is important to feed lightly, so you don't create too much waste.
4. If you find your nitrite really doesn't seem to be moving after a bit of time, it may have to do with the kh of the water.  Ottawa water tends to have a very low kh and that can inhibit proper bacterial growth, consider using something to boost it, like Seachem carbonate.
Cycling isn't an immediate process,  so patience is a must.

Jody

[Guybeaux]

Thank you Jody for the greeting welcome !
I've realized that I had jump start the gun.
I'm outside Ottawa but I have city water
Here is my yesterday reading
GH= 0
KH=0
PH=6.5
NO2 = 5
NO3=40

Last week I've added a piece of Seapora Nitrate+ Nitrite pad in the small filter
No fish in tank
No filter cleaning
I've added bacteria kickstart liquid that I bought at BigAls
Thursday I've added an 2nd small filter Bio Wheel 100
I did a30% water change thursday
I realise I'm in the Nitrite peak periode. I was hoping to take advantage of the black friday sale for adding a few fish but I guess I'll have to wait.
Would a Nitrite liquid treatment accelerate the process by much or is it just a plaster ?
Thank you again. I'm new to this forum and I've also realized I was in the wrong thread (plant)

[Jody]

Hi Guybeaux

So with the readings you have, you may need to add something to boost the kh, as the tank may not cycle properly with it that low.
I had a tank like that, and it took a long time to figure out why nothing was working to have it finish it's cycle, and within a few days of boosting the kh it was good.
The other half of the factor is just going to be time..

Jody

[Gowalkitoff]

Yes ottawa water is very soft.  I use a bit of crushed coral in my tanks to keep things more stable.

[Guybeaux]

Thank you for the tip on the KH Boost. Tonight I'm going to do 1/3 water change but I'll add water from my discus tank instead of the city water. I may even take one foam pad from my Fluval 406 and use some of it in my two small filter. That should kickstart things. And of cours,,patience