Performing Water Changes

• 1). Turn off your pumps and filters.
  
  
• 2). Vacuum your gravel, allowing the dirty water to empty into a bucket, sink, or down a drain. This not only removes nitrates from your water, but removes organic waste and debris before it can be broken down into nitrites.
  
  
• 3). Change up to 25 percent of your total water volume. For example, if you perform water changes every other week, perform a change of approximately 12 percent at a time.
  
  
• 4). Replace the water you have removed from your aquarium with new, nitrate-free saltwater.
  
  

Using a Water Detoxifier

• 1). Purchase a chemical detoxifier for aquariums that removes nitrates, such as Amquel Plus or Kent Ammonia Detox.
  
  
• 2). Add detoxifier to your aquarium, following dosage instructions on the packaging for your water volume.
  
  
• 3). Repeat weekly.