High nitrates

[billybow]

Okay I have finally got my ammonia better but now my nitrates are crazy...


Help please

Aquarium Bedroom parameters are:
Temperature: 78
Ammonia, NH4: 0.25
Nitrate, NO3: 160
Nitrite, NO2: 5
pH: 7.8
for date: September 16, 2012

 

[garfy]

Are you cycling your tank or do you have fish in it?

 

[billybow]

There are fish in it

 

[garfy]

Your levels are dangerously high with fish in your tank.You need to start performing water changes immediately.I would suggest a 50% water change every day until you have your parameters under control.Nitrites and ammonia should be zero at all times if your filtration and water changes are adequate for your tank.Idealy your Nitrates want to be below 25 but anything below 60 is acceptable.Over exposure to the level of Nitrates you have will eventually bring your fish to a premature death.
How often do you perform water changes and how large are they.Dont forget to treat any water you add to the tank with a dechlorinator.