High Nitrite, How Do I Lower It?

[girl4God81]

I posted last week about how my nitrite was at 5. I had the filter out because I had added copper safe and maracyn I and II. Now that the nitrite has spiked, I put the filter back in (yesterday) did a 50% water change, and added more salt. The nitrite is STILL the same, maybe a very little better, but prob back to the same by tonight. I have only had this aquarium for about a month, maybe a little longer, and I have done several partial water cahnges (about 2x a week maybe) and so I don't understand why it's so high. I know the filter being out (and I had 1 die in the aquarium) had a ton to do with it, but shouldn't it be lower now? Also, I am wondering if it's because I never added a bacteria starter in the beginning. I had one lfs employee tell me that I don't really NEED to add it, and that's it's more of a marketing scam...I'm starting to think the good bacteria isn't present enough to cancel out the bad, so now I have sudden nitrite spiking. Also, the water was cloudy last week (I think just due to a new toy I added, but it's since been removed) and it is no longer cloudy, appearance is clear.

I've done the water change, added the filter, and added salt, what now??? It's never been vacuumed, but doesn't even look like it needs to be. I don't think I overfeed as I am always wtching to make sure they eat it all up, and I don't feed every day. I've just gone about 4 days without feeding b/c of the nitrite levels. help!

 

[Jaded12]

What kind of test kit do you have? the strips or the liquid test kit? Since the test strips have proven to not be very accurate. Now my only suggestion would be to continue doing partial water changes till the levels go down. But maybe someone with more knowledge of nitrites can help better.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

By far the best way to lower nitrites (or ammonia or nitrates for that matter) is via 30% daily water changes with dechlorinator (are you using this?). How many gallons is the tank and what fish do you have in it and how many? Nitrites in levels of 5 are very dangerous to fish, easily enough to kill any fish, so it is vital that you sort the issue out imediately as the fish will be going through a lot of stress at the moment.
You should read this article to understand more on how the water quality in your tank works (like the nitrogen cycle) and more;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

There was no need to take the filter out with the meds, by turning it off you have only make your tank start to cycle from scratch again. What reasons were you treating the tank with meds for?

 

[silverchild23]

I agree.
Def. the best way to lower nitrites is daily water changes up to 50% depending on the severity (with dechlorinator). It might look as if it's doing nothing, but trust me, before long you'll see changes. You may have to keep the water changes up (perhaps not daily) for a while for your bacteria to colonise again. You could add a little something like Bactinettes to boost the bacteria at the same time as the water changes. A while ago it took two weeks of daily water changes to get my nitrites down to zero when they peaked.
If anything do the water changes daily to keep your fish from coming to real harm or even death.

 

[girl4God81]

Ok I am glad to know I can do daily water changes. I'm guessing 50% would be too much of a shock? The only reason I may even want to risk that is because it seems like it would be much better than waiting several days for the nitrite to go down any. I worry that it will be too late with just 30% water cahgnes, but I'll do pretty much whatever you guys think.

Jaded~ I have the liquid test for nitrite. I agree, it's much easier to read and seems to be more accurate.

Toki~ The affected tank is just a 10 gallon. Yes, I do always add dechlorinator to the water for each water change. In it, I have 3 mollies (still pretty small), 3 little female bettas, and 3 platies. The 3 bettas are pretty new and won't be there as of this week. I know normally having this amount of fish with mollies could make it crowded but almost all of my fish are not near full grown. So as of this week I plan to just have 3 mollies and 3 platies in this particular 10 gallon. If the tank is over crowded, I don't see how it could have jumped that much within a week when I have only had the aquarium for a little over a month. I am treating them with copper safe and maracyn I/II, and for the copper safe to be more affective I removed the filter for a few days (as I was told).

So frequent water changes, daily (unless I hear otherwise) of 30% (hoping to hear you guys say 50 is ok too)...what about adding more salt, how much salt is too much, because I have been adding it but should I add more?

 

[girl4God81]

Oh, and by the way thank you all so much for replying so quickly! Any advice is appreciated!