How do nyou get rid of nitrite in a tropical freshwater community aquarium?

Answer 1

Sounds like your aquarium is out of balance biologically. It needs a bacteria culture to break down the nitrites. Sounds like your bacteria may have been killed off.

Do a big water change (like 80% of the water, with a chlorine remover and aquarium salt, of course), and then test again. Depending on how much nitrite you have, it might take a couple of big water changes. Once it's back within tolerance for its occupants, add some bacteria starter (Proquatics makes a good one, read the directions for how much to add for your tank size), and then test again in a couple of days. Good luck--

Answer 2

Do not do a big water change, that will start your cycle over. Granted your nitrites will go away temporarily (while your ammonia spikes), but they will come back. Do a 30% water change today, then do 10%-15% water changes daily until the nitrites go back down. If this is a new aquarium, you didn't do anything wrong, this just happens. If it is an established aquarium, you probably either added too many fish at once, you are overfeeding your fish, your fish have outgrown your aquarium, you did too large a water change, or you replaced your filter media or gravel or rinsed them in chlorinated tap water. The chemicals that say they reduce nitrites don't do anything. They'll help with ammonia and nitrate, but I've yet to see one work to reduce nitrites, so I'd stick with the water changes. In the mean time, add 1 tablespoon of freshwater aquarium salt per 5 gallons of water to your aquarium. The salt helps prevent your fish from absorbing as much nitrite, so they are affected slower than normal.

Answer 3

You dont need much to get rid of nitrite. Only do a regular water change (25%) anything over 50% may kill your fish. After you change your water add something called Prime and only us a little less then a capful. The instructions are a bit confusing on how to use it but what it says is to fill your cap to the third ridge. Add this the day you change the water and for about 2 days afterward. Your nitrite should be gone. If not then just keep adding it every day untill it is gone.

Answer 4

Nitrite is poisonous to fish, not as much as ammonia (NH4), but still poisonous.
A temporary fix is Prime by Seachem, this products de-toxifies ammonia and nitrite.

But you really want to find a long term solution here.
You need to start bacteria colonies in your bio filter and substrate.
Nature can pack a lot of bacteria into small places, which is to the advantage of the aquarist. For bacterial growth, all that is required is ammonia and oxygenated water. This is the beginning of the nitrogen process and the growth of bacterial colonies.
You need oxygen and a lot of surface area for bacterial colonies.

You need to start bacterial colonies, my preferred cycling method (it was not in one of the links) is to transfer filter media (sponges work best) from an established aquarium along with some gravel, then introduce the fish SLOWLY starting in a day or two. The method of adding “aged” media is much faster (you still have to take it slow), and provides all the necessary bacteria, the only negative is adding disease pathogens to your aquarium, but I have rarely encountered this problem.

While you are waiting for the establishment of your bacterial colonies, small 20% water changes every other day would be in order. Also keep your feeding to a minimum.

For more information about the aquarium Nitrogen Cycle, please see this article:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html

Answer 5

Frequent water changes...you can quick cycle your tank by adding Bio-Spira or Stability to help out. These products will help establish your biofilter so you won't have this problem again.

Answer 6

Protein skimmer and/or ionized water...both you can get at any pet store. You shouldn't need them with a freshwater tank though. Perhaps you should simply clean the tank more often....or try some live seaweed/plants.

Answer 7

Try a partial water change. Have you had any fish die? Is the ammonia okay?

Answer 8

CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL AQUARIUM OR PET SHOP .THEY HAVE ALL TYPES OF CURE AND PREVENTIONS FOR Aquarium Problems.