I am still getting used to this program, have only had it for about a week now. My no2 & no3 level are running high. I have used stress zyme and today 3/21/2009 I preformed a 10% water change using distilled water I bought at the grocery store. It lowered the levels slightly but I am afriad they will climb again soon. I have also bought 1.5lbs live rock to hope that will start helping as well. I would of bought more but just cannot afford the amount I need for a 55gal all at once. If anyone know of any tricks that would help me with this problems please let me know.

--Xavire--

Please provide some details of about your set-up.

Without more detailed information, it sounds like you may have gone too quickly. 1.5 lbs of live rock in a 55 is only a fraction of what is needed to cycle unless you plan on taking a lot of time and be patient. Without the live rock and live sand you are going to have to build your biological filtration slowly. What do you have in there, as far as fish?? What does your ammonia look like?

Hello... Check the distilled water parameters... some marks are high in phosphates and others minerals... 1.5 pounds of live rock doesn´t fix your problem... Try to put 1 pound per gallon...

Nitrite levels in particular are more persistent compared to ammonia as bacteria appear to find it more difficult to break them down into nitrates. Only when you have stabilised your ammonia and nitrite levels at zero or close to zero should you start to think about feeding your fish again. Your koi will easily last two weeks without food (and if they are suffering from ammonia or nitrite toxicity, their appetites will be much reduced anyway).