New Tank Cycle ?

[Kalani938]

Guys, I am new to this and am trying to learn as much as I can so I can give my fish the best quality of life possible. I recently purchased a 10G kit and am trying to cylce the tank. I have had the tank for about 3 1/2 weeks and so far I suspect the tank hasn't quite finished cycling b/c my nitrite level is too high. I have been doing weekly 30% water changes b/c I was told to by a "fish expert" at my local Petsmart. Well, a few days ago I went to a different Petsmart and the girl there told me I wasn't supposed to be doing any water changes while the tank is cycling? I've read a lot of stuff online and nowhere has it said to not do any water changes? I currently have 3 small cichlids and one small catfish. I have been using all of the necessary conditioners and dechlorifiers, etc.

[cometguy]

Cichlids and catfish in a 10gallon??

[ZebraDanio12]

Mmmmm, yeah. The only cichlids I know that are able to live in a 10 are rams, cockatoos, or shellies.

[Kalani938]

Yes yes, I know. I admit I was ignorant when stocking this tank. I should have learned all of this stuff before I blindly wandered into this hobby. As I have said in earlier posts, I am avidly saving money to get a new tank setup (45-60 gallon), but until then I would like to know what the best way is to keep these fish healthy. Anybody have any input on my original question??

[Fishpunk]

More frequent water changes. Keep the tank well-filtered, and keep testing the water. Oh, and see if you can return the fish and get something that is more appropriate for the size. There is another thread around here listing tons of fish appropriate for a 10 gallon tank.

[emc7]

if you have any nitrite, you aren't "cycled" yet. If you have fish in it, change water to keep nitrite levels down. A tank may cycle faster w/o a wc but you could have dead fish. IMO, not worth it. Personally, I think that advice is bunk. As long as you have any nitrite, you will be growing nitrite-eating bacteria and if the level of either ammonia or nitrite gets too high, you may kill everything and have to start over.

[Kalani938]

Thanks so much for the help guys. I plan on upgrading on the 15th so I will just keep a really close eye on everything till then.