Ha Ha Ha...

Like your comments particularly with respect to the dear buckets! luckily the tank is situated out of way somehow or my other half would had me locked up.

I will proceed with the water changing and observe the nitrite levels. When I will reach 0 level, I will spread the frequency of water change and keep you posted.

Thx

Thank you for the help so far, what I meant with OK for the GH, that is within the green range on the testing strips {i.e. between 4d and 14d as shown on the box cover, sorry I don't know what does that mean however the reading falls towards the 14d).
). However, I shall get me a liquid testing kit asap pending on availability.
As mentioned earlier, I did a water change of 30%, and will continue to do so more frequently till the Nitrites are within the acceptable limits. Was told by the shop that changing the water kills the good bacteria, however, I read that bacteria lives in the filters and surfaces and not in the water!.
Appreciate all the guidance.

Hello again and thank u for the reply. i did a 30% water change this morning, added the stabilizer and about two hours later these are the readings:
Cl= 0
PH= 6.8
Kh= 6هd. - I dont know what that is!
GH= ok
NO2= 5 mg/l - in the Red, but lower than before
NO3= 100 mg/l. - in the Red but also lower than before

I added stabilizing fluid as per directions, I think to enhance good bacteria counts, also I added Prime as recommended per water change to remove Ammonia and Chlorine. Temp is about 26 Deg. Cent., and water is crystal clear.

Dont have an ammonia tester, but I recognize that Ammonia is high since Nitrate and Nitrite are high.

Seems that the Nitrogen Cycle is moving but slowly, Not sure!

Regards,

Hello to all from the State of Qatar. I will try to keep it brief as much as possible:
I have a 350 Liters fresh water tank, with internal filter and heater, then added an external filter I cant recall the size now. Had 14 assorted african cichlids about 2-3 inches in size and 4 tiny cleaning fish (i am not sure what is the name).
Quite a novice to this, I made a terrible mistake when couldnt control the Nitrate/ Nitrite, not considering the over stocking, I went and washed everything up, substrait, rocks(artificial), sunken ship, plastick plants and the filters, Left Nothing.
Obviously, now I know that I had killed all good bacterias, learnt it the hard way after loosing 6 fishes :(.
I have been trying to cycle my tank for the past 3 weeks with no change to the high lvl of nitrite. The colour on the testing sticks is Max.
local pets store advised not to make any water change till the bacteria builds up again, however, I went ahead and made a 25% water change and kept adding that stabilizer as recommended, PH is low, and Nitrite is still high.
Tonight, one of the cichlids had a popping eyes. I isolated it into a smaller tank which has been installed with extra air bubblers. Not much of midicine available here nor I have much experience in this.
Any advise to lower the Nitrite and/ or fix the issue, I have another 125 Liter tank with 5 electric yellow african cichlids which are doing well and water parameters are rather good, and two smaller tanks 50 liters each, not fully cycled , one has 2 cichlids, and the second has the sick fish I mentioned above.
I do opologize if the english is not so well, hoping that I made my point clear to those experts who can guide me thru properly.
Regards.