Things You'll Need
- Nitrate test kits
- Siphon hose
- Bucket (preferably two)
- New prepared salt water
Instructions
Check to see if the filter is working or if something has died that may explain the high nitrate reading. Fix the filter or remove any corpses if necessary and proceed to Step 2.
Do a partial water change to remove some of the high nitrate water. Take a bucket and siphon hose to the tank, suck on the hose to get the suction action going, and remove about one fifth to one quarter of the water.
Mix up replacement salt water in a second clean bucket or after the bucket of dirty water has been dumped and rinsed.
Lessen the amount of light getting to the tank. This could be turning off a room light or turning off the tanks lights entirely. Light encourages nitrates to grow.
Retest the nitrate level. If it is still far too high, do another partial water change.