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Understanding Nitrite in Your Aquarium
Nitrite is a byproduct of the biological filtration process in aquariums. Beneficial bacteria convert toxic ammonia, excreted by fish, into nitrite. Although nitrite is less toxic than ammonia, it is still highly harmful to fish health. Nitrite is further broken down by another group of bacteria into nitrate, which is much less harmful and more stable in aquarium environments.
Ideal Nitrite Levels
Nitrite should always be kept at zero milligrams per litre (mg/L or ppm). Even low levels of nitrite can be damaging to fish, so maintaining a reading of zero at all times is essential for a healthy aquarium.
Managing Incorrect Nitrite Levels
If nitrite is detected in your aquarium, prompt action is necessary:
For levels between 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L, add Filter Starter to boost the population of beneficial bacteria
For levels above 0.5 mg/L, perform a substantial water change
Change 25% of the water volume if nitrite is at 1.0 mg/L
Change 50% of the water volume for higher concentrations
Use Ammonia Remover, which also helps reduce nitrite by eliminating its source
Always recheck key parameters such as pH and ammonia if nitrite is present, as water quality issues often occur together
Reducing nitrite quickly is vital to protect your fish from long-term harm.
How to Perform a Nitrite Test
Ensure the test tube is clean
Add 5 millilitres of aquarium water to the test tube
Add 5 drops of the Nitrite reagent
Cap the test tube and shake thoroughly
Wait 2 minutes, then compare the colour of the sample to the provided chart
A colourless sample indicates zero nitrite
Any hint of pink indicates nitrite is present
Ignore any colour changes that appear after the two-minute period
This test reports concentration as NO2-N to align with fish safety standards. To convert to ionic concentration, multiply the result by 3.29.
Routine nitrite testing using the NTLabs Aquarium Lab Multi-Test Kit ensures your aquarium remains safe, helping to support a balanced and healthy aquatic environment.
