Q&A for How to Lower Your Nitrate/Nitrite Levels in Your Fish Tank

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How long do I have to let it cycle to straighten out?

Community Answer

4 weeks is recommended.

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Question

How do I lower nitrogen levels in water naturally?

Lily

Community Answer

Having real plants in your tank will lower the nitrogen levels naturally, though water changes are still required.

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Question

Are there chemicals I need to add to the tank to get the levels correct?

Lily

Community Answer

No! You don't need any chemicals. Nitrate and nitrite levels tend to fluctuate naturally. Look at your aquarium and inspect it for causes of high nitrogen levels. Is it overcrowded? Have you performed a water change lately?

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Question

If my problem is too many fish, what do I do with the fish I need to get out?

Community Answer

Sell them online or to a friend. Make sure they are going to a good, proper home.

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Question

I've been having high nitrite levels. I do water changes almost every other day, and only have one fish in my tank. What should I do?

Terry Shelton

Community Answer

It sounds like the tank is trying to cycle; if so, let it.

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Question

I have sand rather than rock, and I can't seem to keep it clean. Is there something else I'm supposed to do other than sifting through the sand while cleaning the rest of the tank?

Terry Shelton

Community Answer

Buy a catfish and algae eater; see if they help.

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Question

I've just set up a 50-gallon tank with 37 gold fish and I have 2 filters running as well as bubbles. Water levels are okay, but 4 fish have died already. What should I do?

Community Answer

How big are the gold fish you have now? You may have to many in the tank if they are large. Also make sure you are feeding them properly and that you test the water to make sure it is safe.

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Question

What does gH do?

Community Answer

gH is general hardness, this is a good thing to learn about, depending on what you keep, especially for shrimp and other invertebrate.

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Question

Does changing the filter cartridge help nitrite and nitrate levels go down?

Community Answer

Changing filter cartridges kills your cycle and beneficial bacteria. Nitrite and nitrate can be removed through water changes. The only time you should be replacing filter media is if it is physically falling apart, and in this scenario you should have it with other media so that removing the cartridge does not disrupt everything.

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Question

I realized that I have made the mistake of not letting my tank cycle. What can I do to fix this?

Community Answer

Do more water changes and feed the fish less. Try to limit the amount of ammonia.

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Question

How can I lower ammonia level in water feature?

Mel K

Top Answerer

Do frequent water changes. And make sure your tank is cycled too. Also, if you have fish in the tank, add Seachem prime every 48 hours for a few days so the ammonia detoxifies and makes it safe for the fish during the ammonia spike.

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How to lower ammonia in a tank?

Mel K

Top Answerer

Do frequent water changes. Make sure your tank is cycled too. And if you have fish in the tank, add Seachem Prime every 48 hours for a few days to detoxify the ammonia so the fish are safe.

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Question

I moved 150 plus pleco fry to my 16-litre tank but my levels keep going up. Is this down to over crowding, they are only half an inch long?

Community Answer

It is due to overcrowding. 16 litres is not very much for all of those pleco babies, because each and every one releases some bioload. Consider getting a larger tank, and until then do water changes often and purchase live plants to eat up nitrates.

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Question

I just thoroughly cleaned my 30-gallon aquarium. 60% of the water and vacuumed the bottom. I have not had any nitrate/nitrite problems till now! 4 small, an algae eater and 3 silver dollars.

Community Answer

If nitrate is 5-10 then it is safe. If above 20-30 it is starting to get unsafe. Your stock sounds reasonable so continue doing water changes often (not so large) and gravel vacs. Also, purchase some live plants, because they eat up the nitrates well.

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Question

My fish are dying for some reason and we don't know why can somebody help me?

Community Answer

Do you have a filter? And do you do water changes? Get a test kit like API freshwater masters and checking the levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Make sure you cycle aquarium before putting fish in. Bad water quality can lead to sickness, then death.

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Question

"Nitrate levels should never go above 40 ppm." The tap water I use is about 50 ppm. I add Tap Safe, but what can I do to bring down the nitrate levels?

Community Answer

Try to get some live aquarium plants, which get rid of nitrate. Also, getting a filter (or better filter, if you already have one) would help.

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Question

What should I buy for lowering nitrates? My water has high nitrates, and I can't lower my tank nitrates below 10.

Community Answer

A nitrate level of 10 ppm won't harm your fish at all. But to answer your question, Seachem Prime (which is a water conditioner) removes ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

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Question

What can I do to get the nitrate levels lower on my new fish tank filter?

Community Answer

You can lower nitrate levels by getting live plants, or if there is a lot of nitrates, use Seachem Prime to help remove the nitrates.

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