Nitrite Reducing Help!!!!

[fishfan2007]

Hi

My nitrite has been at 5.0ppm for 5 days now i have been doing the 50% water changes as advised by you guys, it just won't drop ammonia is at 0.0ppm and nitrate at 20ppm. What else can i do to reduce the nitrite, i don't want ths fish to die i have lost 4 already. Please help.

[Lady Hobbs]

Let it go. It takes longer for the nitrite eating bacteria than for the ammonia eating bacteria to build. It will start coming down on it's own.

[fishfan2007]

hi lady hobbs

will the fish be ok if i just leave it? how long does it normally take? and what levels are exceptable to the fish?

[jttt3]

I would do water changes to bring the nitrates down. Probably at least 20% twice a week to try and keep it at a level in which the fish can make it through without eliminating all the stuff the bacteria needs to feed on. The bacteria live on the surface items like gravel, plants, etc so changing the water will only help the fish especially if you have that high of concentrations.

Are you using strip tests or the bottle and testtube tests?

[gm72]

When you are doing your water changes are you also vacuuming the gravel? If so, do not so as to avoid disturbing the bacteria too much.

[Lady Hobbs]

You need to keep up with those water changes as the nitrites are as lethal to the fish as the ammonia. Feed fish sparingly, as well. Once every two or three days. Food is making more ammonia and then becoming nitrites. When the levels start dropping, they will drop suddenly. It can remain high for awhile, tho.......probably two weeks wouldn't be a stretch.

[Chrona]

What kind of fish are you keeping? A tonic level of salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) added slowly to the tank will reduce nitrite poisoning. Water changes is a way of reducing the amount of nitrites in the tank, but remember that it also keeps the process going longer. As nitrite poisoning is essentially asphyxiation, try adding an airstone.