How to Get Rid of Nitrites in a 10 Gallon Tank

Even a small 10 gallon tank needs water changes.

Nitrites are the second stage of the nitrogen cycle of an aquarium. In a healthy, mature aquarium, toxic ammonia from fish waste and decaying food is quickly converted into less harmful nitrites,which then become relatively harmless nitrates. Nitrites and nitrates are removed from the aquarium during water changes. Kits to measure nitrites are available wherever aquarium supplies are sold. Ideally, nitrites should measure as close to "0" as possible, and you should replace 2 1/2 gallons of water in your 10 gallon tank every other week.

Things You'll Need

• Gravel vacuum
• Bucket or sink
• Replacement water
• Plants or macroalgae
• Chemical detoxifier

Instructions

Perform Water Changes

1. Turn off your pump and filter.

2. Vacuum your gravel with an aquarium gravel vacuum. Empty the dirty water into a bucket to discard, or directly into a sink or down a drain. This removes nitrites and nitrates from your water, as well as organic waste and debris before it can be broken down into nitrites.

3. Remove 2 1/2 gallons of water from your 10 gallon tank while vacuuming the gravel.

4. Replace the 2 1/2 gallons of water you have removed from your aquarium with dechlorinated fresh water for a freshwater tank or saltwater for a marine tank.

5. Repeat this process twice a month or every other week.

Other Ways to Lower Nitrites

1. Add plants (freshwater) or live macroalgae (marine) to your aquarium. Plants and microalgae feed on nitrites and nitrates.

2. Add a chemical detoxifier to aquariums that removes nitrites. Follow manufacturer's instructions on the packaging.

3. Keep filters and skimmers clean and running smoothly.

Tips & Warnings

• Overfeeding can cause excessive nitrites in a small aquarium.

• Changing too much water at once may cause pH or temperature to fluctuate, causing stress to your fish.

References

• Saltwater Aquarium Guide: Changing Your Saltwater Aquarium Water