How to Reduce Nitrites in an Aquarium
Nitrites are a highly toxic byproduct of ammonia in aquariums. Bacteria in the tank will take ammonia and convert it to nitrite over time. Too much nitrite will almost inevitably kill your fish, with the ideal level being zero ppm (parts per million). Examine your aquarium water with a testing kit to determine the nitrite level, and if it's too high, you can take several steps to reduce it and keep it low.
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Instructions
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Removal of Nitrites
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Vacuum out the aquarium's gravel with a gravel vac, which siphons out the water and any organic particles but does not suck up the rocks. This will remove any rotting organic matter, like uneaten food, that decomposes into harmful ammonia. Place a bucket at the other end of the gravel vacuum's hose to catch the dirty water. Only vacuum until approximately one quarter of the water has been removed.
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Replace the water removed from vacuuming the gravel with clean water. Add liquid dechlorinator to the tank when you do. This dechlorinator removes chlorine and other harmful chemicals that could be present in tap water. The proper dosage will be specific to the manufacturer and will be listed on the packaging.
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Put numerous live plants in the tank. Live plants suck up ammonium, which becomes ammonia and eventually nitrites, and will go a long way toward the long-term reduction of the poisonous chemicals. Some plants that are easy to care for include anacharis and sword plants.
General Prevention
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Do not overfeed your fish. Fish food is made up of organic matter, and any uneaten food will sink to the bottom and dissolve into ammonia, which is then in turn converted into nitrites. Only feed your fish as much as they can consume in a few minutes and no more.
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Change the water regularly. Swap out about one quarter of the water once per week. This will not only keep ammonia and nitrite levels down but will keep the water clean and clear.
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Change or replace the filter cartridges regularly. The cartridges collect the fish waste and other debris and over time could be rendered ineffective if they are too dirty. Rinse slightly used cartridges under a faucet and replace cartridges that are more than a month old.
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Tips & Warnings
You can purchase a nitrite remover from a pet shop, but these are only temporary solutions and will not remove the cause of the nitrites. The best way to keep nitrites down is to simply change your fish-keeping habits.
The procedure for keeping nitrites down in a saltwater aquarium is the same as with freshwater, except that you must used already-mixed saltwater when replacing the water in a marine tank during water changes, and saltwater plants must be used instead of freshwater plants.
Never change more than one third of the water in an aquarium at once. This will shock your fish and potentially kill them.
Do not overstock an aquarium. Nitrite is primarily caused by ammonia and waste that is sucked out by the filter. A filter, however, will be unable to function properly if there are too many fish in the aquarium. That situation can lead to nitrite spikes.
References
- FishLore.com: Water Chemistry
- Algone: Nitrites in the Aquarium
- Live Aquaria: Basic Water Chemistry Part 3: Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrites
- Aquarium Garden; Nitrogen Cycle in the Aquarium; September 2011
- Hagen: Aquatic Plants, Care and Nurtition
- Fish Channel; Controlling Ammonia in a Fish Aquarium; Ben Helm
- Photo Credit Photodisc/Digital Vision/Getty Images
