From the article: Nitrite Poisoning
Nitrite poisoning often follows close on the heels of Ammonia Poisoning. If your fish are fortunate enough to survive the ammonia, they may fall victim to the nitrite spike. Have you had to deal with Nitrite Poisoning? What did you do about it? How do you deal with it?
high nitrite
- hi have had tank set up for 4 weeks,nitrite levels at 2,have done several 30% water changes to no avail ,have removed the 2 small tetras to our other tank,i have a large koi pond in garden could i use some of the filter media from my multi chamber system in a bag in tank?
- —Guest avensis
what I did
- I very recently just went through this. I lost a fish so I immediately pulled out my testing kit...my nitrites were at 2.0! everything else was within appropriate limits. I immediately did a massive water change, 50% (I have a 50 long), did a good sand vacuum (and tended to the plants) and then treated with prime from seachem - I used five times the regular dose as indicated on the back of bottle in the event of nitrite "emergency." I then added API freshwalter salt - as directed (and not all my fish are are livebearers). I made sure to completely disolve the salt in a cup of tank water before adding it to the tank so it would be easier on my non livebearers. The next morning i tested again and my nitrites dropped drastically, thankfully. It was now at 0.25. I then did a 25% water change, light vacuum and nothing else. The next morning, day three, i took out my test kit and my nitrites were 0! I hit it hard and fast, worked for me. Good luck!
- —melissac584
High nitrite
- I changed 25% of water and weighting it out day by day. Change water change water test it often. This is a must!
- —Guest Jim
Learned this the hard way
- Remove your distressed fish to a hospital tank with 1 tsp salt to every 3 gallons water, if at all possible. In the imbalanced tank they've been removed from: Add AmmoLock to the tank per the directions for your tank size. SeaChem Prime added to canister filters or directly into the tank if you use an HOB. 20% water change daily - use a gravel vac if you have sand or rock substrate. 50% water change every other day. 5 to 7 days you should see a vast VAST improvement in the tanks stability. When returning fish to the tank it is advisable to continue salt treatment for fish that display signs of ammonia burns or brown blood disease. Also advise adding a slime coat protector/conditioner. Your tank will re-cycle itself so watch your water chemistry carefully. Test at the very least weekly and change 50% of your water weekly.
- —Guest me
I'm still dealing with it
- I still don't know what to do any one who has Any info please, I'm out of ideas
- —Guest Daniel c
What I did
- I had ultra high nitrites in my tank, nothing would work. I did water changes, bought chemicals, and moved fish. I lost a few on the way. At the end of about a month of doing this I said enough. Nothing I was doing was, making a difference but my fish seemed happy. I waited a week before doing anything else, then I checked it and my nitrites were gone, and so were nitrates. My tank is now, and has been, neutral for a couple of weeks. All I had to was wait, enough said.
- —Guest bp
