You should really only notice nitrite levels being high in new aquariums or small garden ponds that have newly been set up. As I’ve mentioned before in other blog posts is that it takes time for the nitrogen cycle to start working. It can take up to 4 weeks to properly cycle a new fish tank.
If you are experiencing high levels of nitrite in your goldfish aquarium or pond what you will need to do is make sure your goldfish are not showing any signs of stress. You really need to carefully observe your goldfish or any other types of fish you have in your aquarium. High levels of nitrite is extremely deadly! Nitrite can and will poison your fish and kill them quick.
If you do notice your goldfish are showing signs of stress you will need to lower your nitrite levels in your aquarium or garden pond. What you can do is perform a 25 – 30% water change immediately. This will reduce and dilute the presence of nitrite in your fish tank. After you do this I would also add aquarium salt to your aquarium right away. Aquarium salt will neutralize the toxicity of nitrite making it not harmful for your goldfish. Simply add 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt per every gallon of water. Lots of aquarium owners fail to realize is that aquarium salt helps fish in many ways and helps heal fish. All aquarium and pond owners should have on hand some aquarium or pond salt as you never know when you might need it.
If however your goldfish are not showing signs of stress and this is a newly set up aquarium or pond, just leave it! It will take some time for it to cycle and develop all the beneficial bacteria. Once the tank is cycled and there is an abundance of beneficial bacteria it will break down the nitrite forming nitrate which is relatively harmless to fish. During this time that your aquarium is being cycled make sure you regularly test your water quality for nitrite and record the readings. Recording the readings will show you if the nitrite is lowering. Always observe your fish and be ready to do an immediate water change if your goldfish are showing any signs of stress. High nitrite levels need to be taken very serious as it can quickly kill all your fish if you fail to act promptly.
Sincerely,
Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”
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2 replies on “How To Lower Nitrite Levels In Goldfish Aquariums and Garden Ponds?”
Our tank is 4-5 weeks old. Fish are sitting on the bottom. Nitrites are in the stress zone. Ph is 7.2 or neutral. According to my test strip alkalinity is 300 ppm…one goldfish has ick-currently being treated-on first day of treatment. We changed 60% of the water. Is there any more I can do? Do I need to add salt or is this part of ‘new’ setup cycle?
Thanks for your response.
Meredith
What your suffering from is “New Tank Syndrome”. Your goldfish tank is not yet properly cycled. This can take a while. Your also treating for ich at the same time and every time your doing a water change your removing some benificial bacteria. When treating for ich change about 25% of the water.
What fish medication are you currently using for ich and are you adding beneficial bacteria everytime you do a water change. What’s happening now is that your stopping the fish tank from cycling properly as you have no choice but to do water changes as your treating for ick.
Finish treating your goldfish for ich then read my article on “How To Cycle A Goldfish Aquarium”.
How To Properly Cycle A New Aquarium or Fish Tank For Your Goldfish
Sincerely,
Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy