Nitrates 160ppm

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H

HumanBean

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Nov 4, 2014
1,940
538
150
Toronto Ontario, Canada
Guys,

Hell broke loose. I have no clue what happened but all of a sudden my 3 fish died. Others were breathing very heavy. Came back from work and this was happening. Did a quick water test everything was fine except nitrates. 160ppm. Did a 90% water change. Tank is running stable for almost an year. Healthy population of polys that's it. I haven't changed anything. Food quantity is minimal . I add prime as well last water change was a week ago.

Any ideas ?
 
What's your water change routine?
 
nitrates at 160 would suggest water changes, vacuuming and filter maintenance not at a healthy schedule. Nitrates dmg over time. takes months to manifest but once it does dmg done. not saying this the case but 160 nitrate reading which pretty much means off the chart would suggest this. good luck with your fish.
 
May want to do increase w/c to 90% weekly or 50% twice a week.

Pothos plants are a great nitrate consumer
 
More water changes. Also what nitrate test kit do you use, A number of brands don't measure correctly when now calibrated.
 
What exactly did you test besides nitrates?
I'd suggest testing the tap water for Ph and Kh and then test the tank's Ph and Kh.
Heavy breathing like that can be caused by a rapid Ph drop.
 
Coryloach said:
What exactly did you test besides nitrates?
I'd suggest testing the tap water for Ph and Kh and then test the tank's Ph and Kh.
Heavy breathing like that can be caused by a rapid Ph drop.
Click to expand...


I use API master test kit. Have used it for long time. I tested pH' amonia nitrite and nitrate.
My pH is 7.5 standard. Amonia 0ppm.
Nitrite 0 but nitrates were 160.
 
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