Illness/Sickness: How can i bring down my nitrates and nitrites?

[aaustin15]

I tested my water and found that my nitrite/nitrate levels were too high. how can i quickly get them back down? my newt keeps trying to get out of the water and just shed his skin yesterday. he is still eating good though, so I'm trying to quickly get the water back to perfect conditions.

thanks!

 

[Jan]

Do a partial water exchange with chemically treated water to remove chlorine and chloramines and have a look at this article from Caudata Culture:

Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality

 

[aaustin15]

I've already looked at the article. i guess I'm just being too impatient. ): so hard to only do water changes when you know he's miserable. i don't get it though, my tank has always been healthy.... could changing his diet to night crawlers have anything to do with it?

 

[mackinthebox]

what are your current nitrite and nitrate levels?
changing food can cause a change in water parameters as different foods provide different nutritional levels and waste levels
weekly water changes are your best bet and are good practices anyway

 

[aaustin15]

they're back to safe levels and my newt is feeling better