Ammonia and Nitrates are good, I just need to get my Nitrites down. I know I need to do water changes but how much and how often?
Getting Nitrites down
- Thread starter karna68
- Start date
It doesn't matter what size the tank is.
Change as much water as often as it takes to get the nitrite below.25. This may mean multiple water changes of 75% or more, or it could be one water change of 50%.
Change as much water as often as it takes to get the nitrite below.25. This may mean multiple water changes of 75% or more, or it could be one water change of 50%.
Why not let the biofilter to its job?Agreed, don't think of specific amounts for the water change, such as 30% or 15 gallons. You need to do as much as possible to get them low and this may mean everyday.
If the nitrites are climbing fast right now and are hard to deal with even with water changes, then add 1 tsp of NaCl per gallon of water (during water changes). This will help the fish fight off the effects of nitrite poisoning. If you can get away with just water changes, then that would be best.
If the nitrites are climbing fast right now and are hard to deal with even with water changes, then add 1 tsp of NaCl per gallon of water (during water changes). This will help the fish fight off the effects of nitrite poisoning. If you can get away with just water changes, then that would be best.
Hmm, this is really confusing. About a week and a half ago I had the water tested at my LFS and the nitrites were fine, not quite 0 but very low. Then when I tested myself they were up to 1. I've done 2 50% w/c's and a 30% one. Doesn't it mess things up if you change it too much? It's a 30g with a brand new Aquaclear 50. There are 4 white clouds in the tank, plastic plants and some african root.
Thanks TKOS, so if I just do 1 50% change a day is that good? It seems like the nitrites go down by half when I do that but then the next day they're back up. The fish seem happy and healthy though.
No, cutting nitrites in half is not enough. If the nitrites are reading 10, 5 is still deadly to fish. Your tank is cycling for some reason. Either there is something dead in the tank, way too much food, or your biofilter has been damaged. Change as much water as often as need to reduce the nitrite to a level below .25
Forgive me but I'm just really confused on this. I'm only feeding every other day, there's nothing dead in the tank and the filter is brand new, how would I know if it was damaged? It seems to be working fine. So say the nitrite is at 1 which it has been. I do a 50% w/c and it goes down to .50, do I change the water again right then?
Your filter is brand new, this may be the reason for the cycle......Is the old filter still being used in addition to the new filter?
If the nitrite is measuring 1, do a 75% wc. If it is greater than 1, it may require more or multiple water changes.
If the nitrite is measuring 1, do a 75% wc. If it is greater than 1, it may require more or multiple water changes.