Specific Gravity & Nitrite Levels

Master Nemo · Mar 22, 2015

Hope you can assist me. I have two aquariums for more than five years. On both aquariums, the specific gravity is too high, and the nitrite is too high. Everything else is normal. What suggestion do you have for decreasing the nitrite level and raising specific gravity. I appreciate your feedback.

Master Nemo · Mar 22, 2015

I meant to ask about your suggestion to decrease nitrite level and decrease specific gravity

redfishbluefish · Mar 22, 2015

First off, are you sure it nitrite? Nitrite is rarely an issue in saltwater. Did you mean nitrate? If it is nitrate, you need to remove it. That could be accomplished in a number of ways:

1. Frequent water changes
2. Running a refugium with algae (as example, cheato)
3. Carbon dosing (vodka, sugar, vinegar)
4. Biopellets
5. Denitrification system

and maybe others that don't immediately come to mind.

As far as decreasing salinity, remove a small portion of water every day and replace with fresh RO/DI water. Bring it down slowly.

Master Nemo · Mar 22, 2015

Thank you. I really like the idea of removing a small portion of water every day for decreasing salinity.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 22, 2015

Nitrite is generally not toxic in seawater. How high is it and have you confirmed the reading?

Master Nemo · Mar 22, 2015

I did confirm the nitrite. It is 0.2

redfishbluefish · Mar 22, 2015

Again, a level of nitrite in saltwater isn't a concern. I wouldn't even measure for it. With the biology established, it is converted to nitrate before it ever gets close to becoming an issue. However, I would measure for nitrate and try keeping that as low as you can.....for the sake of picking numbers....below 10ppm for reef tank.....20 ppm for fish only.