Marine Nitrite Removal

Nitrite poisoning is a serious problem for marine aquariums, especially in newly stocked aquariums. While nitrite is a natural part of the nitrogen cycle, new marine aquariums often suffer nitrite spikes as the nitrogen cycle is established. Relatively low levels of nitrite can be harmful or fatal to fish, coral and other marine organisms. Fortunately, dangerous levels of nitrite can be detected using test kits and removed before the aquarium's inhabitants are harmed.

Things You'll Need

  • Large bucket
  • Rubber or plastic tubing
  • Aquarium salt
  • pH test strips
  • pH modifier
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Instructions

    • 1

      Siphon the water in the aquarium into a large bucket using a length of rubber or plastic tubing. If the bucket is kept below the level of the aquarium and the ends of the tube are kept beneath the surface, the water flow through the tubing will continue once it is started. Remove about 80 percent of the water from the aquarium, leaving only enough to keep your fish and coral well submerged. Discard the siphoned water.

    • 2

      In a second bucket, add aquarium salt to clean water until it reaches the salinity level of your tank. Test the water and the bucket and the water in your tank for pH, and use a pH modifier to match the pH of the water in the bucket to the water in the tank.

    • 3

      Slowly mix the water from the bucket with the water in the tank until it is about 40 percent full.

    • 4

      Siphon the water back down to 80 percent empty.

    • 5

      Repeat the procedure, filling the tank to the 40 percent full and then siphoning it back down to 80 percent empty.

    • 6

      Fill the tank completely following the third siphon.