How to Lower Nitrites in an Aquarium

When you set up an aquarium in your home or office, you are essentially recreating a natural system in an enclosed space. Unfortunately, those space constraints can work against you, as contaminants that would wash away in a stream or pond have nowhere to go. That is why it is so critical for hobbyists to monitor the quality of the water in their tanks on a regular basis. Taking the time to test the nitrites and other contaminants in the tank is one of the best ways to keep your fish healthy.

Instructions

    • 1

      Perform a partial water change as soon as you find the high nitrite levels. Removing one-third to one-half of the water and replacing it with new water can alleviate the high nitrite levels and reduce potential harm to your fish while you determine the root cause of the problem. Always treat the water you add with a commercial dechlorinator before putting it in your tank.

    • 2

      Check the condition of the cartridges in your filter and replace any that appear to be dirty or clogged. Poor filtration can lead to high nitrite levels. Adding a second filter is also a good idea if you have high nitrite levels in your tank.

    • 3

      Avoid adding ammonia removers to your tank except in an emergency. These commercial ammonia removers do remove this contaminant, but they can also interfere with the biological filtration needed to remove nitrite from the water.

    • 4

      Assess the number of fish you have in your tank and consider moving some of them to a secondary aquarium. If the tank is overloaded with fish, the filtration system might not be able to keep up with the amount of waste produced.

    • 5

      Reduce the amount you feed your fish at a time. You should feed no more than the fish can eat within a few minutes. If you see food particles floating around after you feed, you are feeding too much. That uneaten food can contribute to high nitrite levels.

    • 6

      Change a small portion of the water, between one-quarter and one-third of the tank, every week. Weekly water changes can improve the quality of the water and keep high levels of nitrite from forming.