Here's what I am observing. Nitrites are nearly out of control in my tank and I am cycling. Since Nitrites began to show I have salt ed to .1% but holes keep appearing in my fish's dorsal fin and one tear in the caudal fin. All holes and tears have healed within a day at this point. I fear fin rot with the water quality being so poor right now. I am doing daily or twice daily changes to keep it below 2 ppm but it has crept above a couple times.

Is there a way to prevent fin rot without destroying my cycle? I may be paranoid but I think her fins appear more transparent as well. Should this be a concern?

Hi Akk

You definitely need to get the nitrites down to 0.5 without delay; 2 ppm is a dangerous level at which problems will certainly begin to occur. The splitting fins are a clear indication of nitrite stress. Increase the amount and regularity of your water changes and test the ammonia and nitrite every day, twice a day, until the cycle is complete.

You seem to be worried that changing more water will affect the cycle. It will not; a nitrite level of 0.5 is more than enough for the bacteria to grow on.

A salt level of 0.1% will not do anything to help offset nitrite poisoning: it actually needs to be at least 0.3% to be effective. I would suggest increasing the salinity to 0.3% over the next 24 hours.

Hope this helps - good luck with the cycling.

Thank you! That is exactly the info that I wanted to hear. I have been cycling literally forever it seems. I want this to be over ASAP so she can be comfortable. I am so glad I can get it down lower without compromising things. I have been concerned. I'll start raising the salinity this evening. She seems great otherwise.

There is some controversy over just how much salt is needed to prevent nitrIte poisoning. I generally recommend .1% salt. The mods over on koivet recommend .1% to .15%. Another site recommends a much lower dose. I don't think you need to go up to .3% to provide protection against nitrIte poisoning. I do agree that frequent partial water changes to keep it below 1ppm are a good thing. Just don't disturb your gravel or the filter to give the biofilms time to get established.

So what's your pH?

I think all of us know how a cycle just seems to take FOREVER! Mine took a good 2 months or so. I thought it would never cycle. Just keep testing the water daily, and do water changes everyday. For awhile there, i thought thats all I was ever doing!!! But my fish came out fine. Hope all the other posters helped out. I know they have always been a big help to me.

Good luck, and it seems like your cycle should be done soon!