Help! I checked the nitrites for my 26g tank, and it was not 0, gasp! Help?

Question

An aquarium nitrites are supposed to remain 0 after establishment of nitrifying bacteria. I checked mine today, it was a little under 0.25 ppm

I've read thats a bad sign caused by something like overfeeding (I don't think I've fed them too much, then again), overstocked tank (I only have 8 serpae) or an inaduequet bio-fliter. If I have a bad bio-filter, I've heard Stress Zyme and aqua salt help a little in lowering nitrites and restoring the bio-filter.

I've had the tank since July 06. I usually do water changes every two weeks or so.

Answer 1

The best thing for reducing the nitrite is the bacteria or a water change.

Since your nitrites are elevated, the ammonia must have been also recently. A level of 0.25 isn't too bad. You might see small fluctuations when a fish dies, you clean the gravel a little too well, or you change a filter (or media) on a newer tank - you get a "mini" cycle. As long as you're not above 0.5, I'd just watch the level and either wait it out (at the current level) or do a partial water change (if it gets higher).

If you use Amquel, you can get false readings on ammonia and the later nitrogen products.

NOTE: Salt reduces the effects of nitrite on fish by blocking it's uptake - it doesn't remove the nitrite or convert it into something else.


ADDITION: Try weekly water changes around 25%.

Answer 2

A few things can cause a nitrite spike after an established tank. Ammonia levels escalated and therefore a spike in nitrite to gobble them up (followed by nitrates again). If you cleaned the filter media in clean water instead of tank water, the chlorine in your tap water killed off the nitrates, thus starting a mini cycle.

No need to add anything. Just do a water change. How often and how much are you changing the water?

Answer 3

if your nitrites are outta control, do a partial water change, not more that 50%. Try anding some stress zyme or cycle. both of these are beneficial bacteria that break down nitrites and ammonia.

Answer 4

i agree. just do a water change. it can do wonders for your tank. i would say at about 10 percent, so just about 3 gallons for your tank. i personally have never used anything for the water to reduce nitrites and i would not recommend it.