What products can I use to raise the alkalinity and lower the nitrite levels in my tank?

Question

I have a ten gallon freshwater tank with a running filter. My alkalinity level is 40 and needs to be at 120. My nitrite level is 1 and needs to be 0. Any products you've used that have worked on either one of these problems?

Answer 1

Try to stay away from extra chemicals.  When you change the water, make sure you remove NO MORE than half and use an aquarium gravel vacuum on the bottom of the tank.  

Answer 2

Partial water changes will dilute nitrite, but the best source for it's removal is time for your biological cycle to complete (enough bacteria to consume the nitrite and in turn convert it to nitrate).

As for the Alk, why does it need to be 120? What type of fish are you keeping/plan to keep? Alkalinity is a measure of the water's ability to buffer against decreases in pH (increase in acidity), so while it's important, it's of less concern than the level of nitrite that you presently are dealing with.

Answer 3

My tank is like that and its fine it doesn't have to be exact for one thing nitrite is perfect and alkalinity is ok unless breeding

Answer 4

That level of nitrite is harmful to fish. Water changes will bring the level down.