Princess1982
Aquarium Advice Activist
Hi All.
I was wondering if you could help me identify a reason for a sudden nitrate spike in my tank. I must confess I have become rather lazy when it comes to testing the aquarium water as for months the tests have been exactly the same. I have not tested for a few weeks but tested this morning and was horrified to notice that the nitrate level was at 80ppm!!
I recently put some new plastic plants in the aquarium but washed them thoroughly in old tank water before adding them. Could this be a reason for the sudden spike? My water has been perfect for months.
I have just done a large water change and the nitrate now sits at 40ppm but obviously this needs to come down further. Are frequent water changes the answer here?
Tank stats
180 litre fluval with 2 filters and 30cm airstone
1 x black moor
1 x red cap
1 x leopard plec
1 x common goldfish
1 x calico ryukin
1 x white ranchu
Water parameters this monring
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 80ppm
Nitrite - 0
PH - 8
I use Prime water conditioner which is supposed to detoxify nitrate. Will this help?
I know the tank is slightly overstocked but I have an additional filter and this has never affected the water parameters before.
Please help!
Many thanks in advance
I was wondering if you could help me identify a reason for a sudden nitrate spike in my tank. I must confess I have become rather lazy when it comes to testing the aquarium water as for months the tests have been exactly the same. I have not tested for a few weeks but tested this morning and was horrified to notice that the nitrate level was at 80ppm!!
I recently put some new plastic plants in the aquarium but washed them thoroughly in old tank water before adding them. Could this be a reason for the sudden spike? My water has been perfect for months.
I have just done a large water change and the nitrate now sits at 40ppm but obviously this needs to come down further. Are frequent water changes the answer here?
Tank stats
180 litre fluval with 2 filters and 30cm airstone
1 x black moor
1 x red cap
1 x leopard plec
1 x common goldfish
1 x calico ryukin
1 x white ranchu
Water parameters this monring
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 80ppm
Nitrite - 0
PH - 8
I use Prime water conditioner which is supposed to detoxify nitrate. Will this help?
I know the tank is slightly overstocked but I have an additional filter and this has never affected the water parameters before.
Please help!
Many thanks in advance