High nitrates!

[fotonutz]

Been an aquarist for some years and have never had an issue with high nitrates-(Readings in the 80's) I Have 2 20 gallon tanks-Lightly planted not overstocked- 30% + WC weekly-0 nitrates in the water supply-I use both undegravel and hang on filters-I thoroughly vacuum the gravel with each WC-I'm at a loss! Thanks for reading!

[Autumnsky]

Welcome to the community.

Have you tested the water straight out of the tap to get a feel for the possible basis of the issue?

Changed /added foods in the last couple months? Removed / done a big cut of stems plants /live plants?

Is your tank cycled and have you changed / removed an old filter pad or changed filter lately? If you have washed a filter pad in chlorinated tap water you may have killed off a bunch or all of the beneficial bacteria (BB).

[fotonutz]

No measurable nitrates in the water supply-No changes to food-I rinse the filter media in removed tank water-These tanks are approximately 2 years old and have normal levels of ammonia and nitrates-I haven't made any changes to the plants-

[Autumnsky]

Well maybe just start upping the % and frequency of pwc"s at least to get the numbers in check. Flake food and some high quality protein foods break down quickly and add to a poor water quality.

What are you feeding?

[fotonutz]

Originally Posted by Autumnsky

Well maybe just start upping the % and frequency of pwc"s at least to get the numbers in check. Flake food and some high quality protein foods break down quickly and add to a poor water quality.

What are you feeding?

Some frozen b. shrimp and T.Min color formula-I'm a light feeder-No more than is eaten in five minutes-

[Autumnsky]

Well if no dying plants, and no dead fish rotting off in the corner, I'd do more pwc and %.

Those are all the usual issues previously mentioned. What about under the UG filter?

[fotonutz]

Originally Posted by Autumnsky

Well if no dying plants, and no dead fish rotting off in the corner, I'd do more pwc and %.

Those are all the usual issues previously mentioned. What about under the UG filter?

Not much detrius-I've removed the tubes and worked a suction tube underneath the plates-

[Autumnsky]

Confounding situation fotonutz. To help the fish just keep up on the pwc and keep the nitrates in a safe level. I can't think of anything else. You have seemed to address all the most usual issues.