dying fish

[angelfish]

we set up our tank 3 weeks ago (120 litres, freshwater tropical) We had 3 male and 3 female guppies, one micky mouse plattie and a redwag swordtail after 10 days - which is what the fish shop advised.The nitrate levels have been at.2 for most of that time. However over the past week - all the female guppies and the swordtail have died ( although one was cat related - it jumped out when we had the lid off and we didnt notice). I tested the nitrate level today and it is .6. WHAT do i do and how do I know when the tank has cycled? and can I add anything to reduce the nitrate level?

[Alf]

Are you sure that we are talking Nitrates or Nitrites? Nitrates are tested in 5ppm 10ppm 20ppm. Nitrites are tested in .1 .2 .25 .3 etc. As far as the cycle gos it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks. always test your system for 0.0 AMMo, and 0.00 nitrites before you add any fish ever. these values must come to 0.00 because they are toxic to fish. Nitrates are not realy an Issue with Fish unless you get to like 80ppm or higher.

[angelfish]

yes, i meant nitrite! Wll, it was 0.00 and now it isn't - so what do we do with the fish that are living in this water. The book says a 50% water change is a short term solution. what do you tyhink?

[Alf]

A Water change is alway a good way to ease the cycle for the fish. test every day for a while so you can do smaller water changes more often so it is less stressful for the enviroment. after your large water change. just make sure all parameters are inline for the water change water. IE: Temp, Ph, etc..