Nitrites too high...

[H20hot]

The nitrites in our tank read about 3.0 ppm, which according to the test strip, is "stress level" to the fish. I added AmQuel+plus, but 24 hours later it still read at 3.0 ppm.
Any suggestions to lowering the nitrites? Everything else reads normal (nitrate=20 ppm, total hardness=soft, total chlorine=0 ppm, total alkalinity=ideal [180 ppm] and pH=neutral [7.2])
We did a 25% water change and the nitrites stayed in the stress level.
Any suggestions are appreciated *SUNSMILE*

 

[cchase85]

Water changes...

ANY nitrites are bad for your fish.

 

[JWright]

Given that you have pretty soft water, adding a _pinch_ of salt might not be a bad idea. Just a pinch. Table salt is fine.

The salt is only to help mitigate the effects of the nitrite. You should still be doing water changes to get rid of it.

~JW

 

[echoofformless]

Amquel will give false positive ammonia and nitrite on some tests.

There should never be measurable nitrite or ammonia in an established tank. Did you test for ammonia? Is this a cycled tank?

 

[FroggyFox]

I'm guessing your tank is pretty new or has a new filter? Water changes would be the best alternative...