SKB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I still haven't seen how long this tank has been set up?
You've gotten good responses here. My suggestions have already been given, stating:
Get an API test kit or some type of liquid test kit. Strips tend to be incorrect most of the time and who knows, maybe there reading wrong and you don't have as big an issue as u think.
Eventually work ur way up to weekly or biweekly water changes and gravel vacs. Since you have been doing small water changes every few weeks you should work your way up, to not shock the fish, but the levels are quite high. Once u work up, If it's weekly I'd say about 30% ish water change, biweekly, 50%-60% water change. Depending on water tests.
Depending on levels, sometimes rinsing out ur filter or filter media in dechlorinated tank water does the trick every few months or so.
Plants can eat up nitrate levels but it's not always a significant value.
Using prime to lower nitrates should only be a temporary fix. Eventually it should stabilize.
Once u work your way up in cleaning ur tank, I've found, When keeping fish tanks, consistency is important. Your mostly caring for water, before fish. Healthy water, means healthy fish. =) I wish you good luck!!
You've gotten good responses here. My suggestions have already been given, stating:
Get an API test kit or some type of liquid test kit. Strips tend to be incorrect most of the time and who knows, maybe there reading wrong and you don't have as big an issue as u think.
Eventually work ur way up to weekly or biweekly water changes and gravel vacs. Since you have been doing small water changes every few weeks you should work your way up, to not shock the fish, but the levels are quite high. Once u work up, If it's weekly I'd say about 30% ish water change, biweekly, 50%-60% water change. Depending on water tests.
Depending on levels, sometimes rinsing out ur filter or filter media in dechlorinated tank water does the trick every few months or so.
Plants can eat up nitrate levels but it's not always a significant value.
Using prime to lower nitrates should only be a temporary fix. Eventually it should stabilize.
Once u work your way up in cleaning ur tank, I've found, When keeping fish tanks, consistency is important. Your mostly caring for water, before fish. Healthy water, means healthy fish. =) I wish you good luck!!
