Nitrate
- Thread starter Richi106
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Cactuspixie
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yes that is a high reading. In the same situation I did large (40% +) water changes daily to get it down.
It is toxic to fishes- but more so if they are exposed to it for a prolonged period. It could be the direct cause of their rubbing, or it could be an indirect cause- by making them susceptible to disease.
Chances are if you keep changing the water in large amounts and use a good conditioner like prime, they'll start behaving normally again.
Good luck!
It is toxic to fishes- but more so if they are exposed to it for a prolonged period. It could be the direct cause of their rubbing, or it could be an indirect cause- by making them susceptible to disease.
Chances are if you keep changing the water in large amounts and use a good conditioner like prime, they'll start behaving normally again.
Good luck!
BBradbury
Aquarium Advice Addict
- Joined
- May 24, 2011
- Messages
- 5,011
Nitrate Levels
Hello Rich...
Your nitrate level isn't out of control. Ideally, you want it a bit lower. If the tank was mine, I'd start removing and replacing at least a third of the tank water every week, half the water is better and introduce some stem plants, like Anacharis and Pennywort. I've found these to be a big help in keeping the water a bit cleaner and the fish a little more comfortable in the tank.
I also like to use a teaspoon of standard aquarium salt in every 5 gallons of my replacement water in my planted tanks. I really think it improves the general health of the fish, but that's entirely my preference.
Just a couple of suggestions.
B
Hello Rich...
Your nitrate level isn't out of control. Ideally, you want it a bit lower. If the tank was mine, I'd start removing and replacing at least a third of the tank water every week, half the water is better and introduce some stem plants, like Anacharis and Pennywort. I've found these to be a big help in keeping the water a bit cleaner and the fish a little more comfortable in the tank.
I also like to use a teaspoon of standard aquarium salt in every 5 gallons of my replacement water in my planted tanks. I really think it improves the general health of the fish, but that's entirely my preference.
Just a couple of suggestions.
B
My water reads about 40ppm of Nitrate at the moment, and it has been like that since I started my first tank well over two years ago; no matter what I did and how much water I changed, I always ended up with that number-- I think it has something to do with water in my tap.
Having said that, my fishes are very happy in the tank, and so are shrimps (which apparently are very delicate) and snails. My Guppies and Mollies breed like crazy, and plants love it too...
So I just gave up fighting with Nitrates and just enjoy watching my friends
Having said that, my fishes are very happy in the tank, and so are shrimps (which apparently are very delicate) and snails. My Guppies and Mollies breed like crazy, and plants love it too...
So I just gave up fighting with Nitrates and just enjoy watching my friends
Old Scales
Aquarium Advice Addict
Hygrophilia Difformis is a great Nitrate absorbing plant. Easy to grow with med light and simple ferts. I have 14 stems in my overstocked 29g and I still can't get my Nitrates above 5 ppm. I'm trying to dose nitrate fert to get up to 10ppm for my advanced plants and am up to double doses and still not there yet. It is a pleasing light green color also.
OS.
OS.
Hey. Thanks for information on last questions.
I have managed to get the nitrates down, but sometimes when I you's my API test kit there
Is a slight tint in ammonia.
I tested my tap water
And it has 1 to 2 ppm of ammonia after I've added prime and water conditioner.
Is this ok to put into aquarium??
I am pretty confused I thought the water going into the aquarium would have to me ammonia free:/
Thanks again!
I have managed to get the nitrates down, but sometimes when I you's my API test kit there
Is a slight tint in ammonia.
I tested my tap water
And it has 1 to 2 ppm of ammonia after I've added prime and water conditioner.
Is this ok to put into aquarium??
I am pretty confused I thought the water going into the aquarium would have to me ammonia free:/
Thanks again!
Convict2161
Aquarium Advice Addict
Sometimes tap water will have ammonia and other "stuff" in it that's why you use something like Prime to help reduce the effects of impurities in your tap water.
Also salt isn't needed at all... Unless your running a brackish or saltwater tank. The only time I've used salt is when I'm treating for a parasite or something like ich. IMO adding salt and adding it at water changes is a waste of money. Again this is just my opinion.
Also salt isn't needed at all... Unless your running a brackish or saltwater tank. The only time I've used salt is when I'm treating for a parasite or something like ich. IMO adding salt and adding it at water changes is a waste of money. Again this is just my opinion.
DavidAl
Aquarium Advice FINatic
You are getting a false positive. The ammonia going into the tank is detoxified and will remain so for 24 hours, giving your biological filter enough time to remove it. Since your tap has up to 2 ppm of ammonia, I would use a double dose of Prime. By the way, Prime is your water conditioner. You should not be adding any other type of conditioner.
David
Convict2161
Aquarium Advice Addict
I just don't understand all this. I do a water change and add Prime and then relax and enjoy my fish. I don't add anything else. I think the more chemicals you add the more you foul up the water. Then you have to test for things and re add them at each water change. What is your stock again?
Like about stated. Prime IS your conditioner, why the salt and KH buffer. I haven't used KH buffer since... Well.... Never....
Zimmanski
Aquarium Advice Addict
I agree. I just use prime and chill out, I've found that the more chemicals I add to the tank to try and correct things, the more things went wrong. Most tropical fish do not need salt added, there's enough salts in our tap, most of our tank raised specimens actually do best without it. The only reason you should be using Kh buffer is if you have really soft water or are using RO water. Also prime is a water conditioner so using two is just wasting money.
Ok. Sounds good to me.
My understanding was kh and dh had to be between 3 and 6 depending on fish you keep. That's why I add kh and salt??
As for prime and and water conditioner it does
Sound like am wasting money.
My understanding was kh and dh had to be between 3 and 6 depending on fish you keep. That's why I add kh and salt??
As for prime and and water conditioner it does
Sound like am wasting money.
Zimmanski
Aquarium Advice Addict
How big is the tank?
Jbrock
Aquarium Advice Activist
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2013
- Messages
- 180
2 plecos, there's part of your nitrate build up.
Cactuspixie
Aquarium Advice Addict
It would certainly help- especially with a good amount of biomedia in it. If it doesn't help enough, then you'll have to increase the volume or frequency of pwc.
