Nitrate spike

[henry1245]

Hi All,

My nitrate level has spiked in the past week.

Ammo: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 40ppm

It was 20ppm last week.
I've done a 40% water change this morning, so will retest again later on tonight, however i was wondering if there is anything else i can do to reduce this nitrate level?

Also, does anyone know of anything that can soften the water (our water is quite hard in our area)

Thanks
Henry

 

[rich311k]

Water changes are the best cure. You could feed less as well. You really don't want to mess with water chemistry unless you have very good reason. Plasying with it generally makes the situation unstable. A piece or two of bog wood will help a bit.

 

[henry1245]

ok thanks... it may be because over the weekend, i fed 3 times a day rather than the usual twice (i sometimes do this the odd day on a weekend, but did it sat-mon this weekend).

Will invest in some bog wood also...

Cheers!