High nitrites
 

Hi I have a 55 gallon tank with 2 tinfoil barbs, 2 pangasius catfish, 3 silver dollars, 2 angelfish, and 1 CAE. I had high nitrates for a while but I got it down to about 30-40 ppm with water changes. But my nitrites are over 10.0 ppm. How do I get them down.

Umm, I don't think fish will live w/ 10 ppm nitrites, but do 50% water changes daily. It will lower nitrates and nitrites. Which test kit are you using?

I agree with sj45...10.0 ppm is a huge number and I wouldn't think any fish could survive that. With numbers lilke that I would have redone the test, just to be sure, then I would have done an immediate 50% water change. Is this an API test kit you are using??

Im using 6 in 1 jungle dip test strips.

Mmmmm..that would explain the readings. Test strips are highly inaccurate. Any chance you can get a liquid test kit??

Most likely not, but the man a petco said these would be just as accurate as the liquid testers.

Well I did a water change and the nitrites are at about 3.0-5.0

That could be 0, that could be 7ppm. We have no idea. Test strips do not give off anything reliable.