I have a 12 gallon tank with Bert, my Black Moor in there. He was in a 3 gallon for 1 week as I blindly listened to what the fish store told me. My fault as I should have done my research.

Anyway, I upgraded Bert to a 12 gallon tank with filter 8 days ago. At first he seemed pretty happy but now a bit sluggish

I got the test strips, which I am guessing is not the most effective way to test based on what I am reading in these forums. It showed that the nitrites were in the "danger zone". I quickly did a 20% water change --- that was last Wednesday.

I tested again on Friday and they were still high so I did another 25% water change, but it isn't making much of a dent in taking to the nitrites down.

I have heard mixed things about using Prime/Amquel etc so I don't want to do anything without making sure it is the best decision.

Why aren't the water changes helping?
Do I just have to see it through the cycling?
Should I use Prime?

Thanks so much for your help. I love Bert and don't want to lose him.

I think we can help you with Burt
I'll answer your questions as best I can, and I have one for you. Do you know what the ammonia and pH are? That can help too.


Nitrites can really shoot up during cycling and they are toxic. You need to do much larger and more freqent waterchanges until things stabalize. I'd do at least 80% right away if I were you - you may need to do daily changes for the next little while. It's a pain but very much worth it in the long run.


If you mean 'put up' with the nitrites, no! Your poor fish may not be able to see it through, do all you can to get them down.


Yes. I don't have a whole lot of experience with using it for nitrites, but I do know that in a pinch it can give short term relief.

I hope this helped and I'm sure there's lots more advice coming.

Thanks so much for getting back to me. My ammonia is close to 0 but my nitrites are up at b/w 2.0 and 5.0.
I went to the store and they told me to add Amquel but then not change out water for 3 days. I am so skeptical now of what I hear from these pet stores since each time I hear something it ends up hurting Bert.

No no no no no! You are right to mistrust them because that is horrible information! High nitrites in a cycling tank are very harmful-- you should be doing daily water changes! Nitrites between 2.0-5.0ppm are DEADLY!@!!!!

Adding a marginal level of salt can help protect Bert while you're getting through the nitrites cycling. Again, change the water every day and try to get ahold of drop test kits (those strips are horribly inaccurate). I think a 0.1% level would be good, though others may recommend differently. (0.1% = 1 TSP per gallon; in your case, 12 TSPs).

Hi Cathy!

You have already recieved great advice. I would just like to add a tip for you, as to water changes.
When you test your water, try to look at your water changes in percentages. If you do a 20% water change, you only remove 20% of the nitrites. If you do a 50%, you remove 50%, etc. Lets say that your nitrites are at 2: If you only change out 50%, you still have 1ppm of nitrites. You'd need to do at least an 80% change for them to be "safe".
It's common sense, really, but I never realized it until it was pointed out to me.

Best of luck with your tank!!

Debbie