lowering nitrite

[Hebdizzle]

the only way I know is to stop feeding so much...

currently my nitrite in my 29 is at 1.5 ppm ahhhh, does anyone have suggestions?

[OrionGirl]

Water changes--lots of them. Nitrites should be undetectable in a cycled tank--what happened that is causing this spike?

[Hebdizzle]

I haven't been doing significant water changes up until recently (still relatively new tank). I know that isn't a good excuse but....

I will fix it :)

[OrionGirl]

If it's a new tank, then the nitrites are indicative that the tank has not completed the establishment of the bacteria bed. If there are fish in there, you need to do water changes daily to prevent nitrite poisoning. Reduced feedings will help, but not eliminate the need for water changes until the bacteria become established.

[Hebdizzle]

It's been up for approximately 2 months.

I just did a 50% water change, vaccuumed all the gravel, washed all the plants etc. nitrite test went down to 1.5..... so getting better. Thanks for the help Oriongirl

[carpguy]

A little salt can help reduce the toxicity of nitrites while you finish out the cycle.

Aside from that, what OG said…