The most common cause of high nitrite levels is over feeding and overstocking. New filters and media that have been washed in tap water or replaced with new aren’t as prone tobacterial growth as older filters. Nitrite is a naturally occurring compound in the water. It is produced by bacteria as a by-product of photosynthesis.
Nitrites are used by plants and animals to make nitrate, which is used in fertilizer and as an ingredient in many household products. In the aquarium, nitrites can be used to improve the appearance of the fish’s gills and fins, as well as to prevent algae from growing on the tank’s surface. They can also be added to aquarium water to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as nitrifying bacteria.
How do I lower nitrite levels in my new aquarium?
Water changes with dechlorinated water should be performed first. Adding half an ounce of salt per gallon of water will prevent methemoglobin toxicity by blocking the nitrite absorption through the fish’s gills. It is possible to use any aquarium salt or marine salt mix for this purpose. Second, add a small amount of nitrate-reducing bacteria to the aquarium water. These bacteria will help to remove nitrates from the water and prevent them from being absorbed by fish.
You can purchase these bacteria from your local fish store or online. If you don’t have any, you can buy them online at Amazon.com for about $2.00 per pound. They can also be purchased at most pet stores and online from pet supply stores such as Petco and PetSmart. Be sure to read the directions on the package to make sure you are using the right type of bacteria for your aquarium.
For example, if you want to use nitrifying bacteria, then you will need to buy a package that contains the proper bacteria and then add it to your water before adding any other bacteria. This will ensure that your fish will not be exposed to any harmful bacteria during the time they are in the tank.
Why won’t my nitrites go down?
Doing water changes is the only way to get your nitrites down. Water changes do not slow down the tank cycle. The nitrite eatingbacteria will reduce them to 0 if you grow them. You can’t grow them fast enough if you keep removing bits of them.
How much nitrite can fish tolerate?
Stress in fish can be caused by elevated nitrite levels in the water. Nitrate levels from 0 – 40 ppm are generally safe for fish. Anything greater than 80 can be toxic.
Will nitrates go down on their own?
In a healthy, complete system, it goes down on its own. But if you have a system that’s not functioning properly, you’re going to get a lot of problems. And if they’re not, then you need to look at what’s going on in the system to see what you can do to make it work better.
How is nitrite removed from water?
Nitrite can be removed from drinking water by reverse osmosis, distillation or ion exchange. Standard water softeners and carbon adsorption filters do not remove it. Boiling is the process of heating water to a high temperature and then cooling it back down to room temperature.
This process removes most of the impurities in the water, but it also removes some trace minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, which can cause health problems in people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or kidney disease. The process can also remove trace amounts of chlorine and bromine, both of which are known to be harmful to human health.