Constant nitrite and nitrate issues

[Wackamole]

I have no idea why but my nitrates and nitrites are always on incredibly high levels. I treat my tank with Prime and other chemicals , regularly vacuum up any debres on the bottom of the tank and do small water changes daily , and have a ton of filteration. My buddy down the street has 0 problems what-so-ever - the only difference between our tanks is that his is incredibly aerated to the point its almost overwhelming and he is alot more overstocked than I am. This is starting to get really frustrating

Heres my set-ups
125 gallon , fluval fx5, Aquaclear 70 gallon hang on,
10 inch florida gar, 8 inch tiger shovelnose, 5 inch RTC, 6 inch Rapheal cat

55 gallon, 2 hang on 60 gallon filters, aerator bar
2 palm sized blood parots

29 gallon, 2 30 gallon filters and a small aerator stone
Senegal, Delhezi, Ornate all small sized

 

[Wackamole]

cmon nobody?

 

[bomber]

Nitrites is a sign of a tank that has not fully cycled.

How long has your tanks been running?

 

[komodo182]

I would say your tank is not full cycled.

Know anyone you can get some mulm from? Also, do you use anything in your filter for bacterial growth?

 

[Wackamole]

the 55 and 30 have been for around a month, but i used water and filters from my 125. I forgot to mention the 125 has few nitrites, but nitrates are very high in the tank

 

[Wackamole]

Yeah i have nitrate reducing pads in all the filters, bio balls and ceramic rings in the fluval

 

[CLDarnell]

I assume you are using a different test kit than your buddy? Maybe one of the kits has passed the expiration date and isn't valid?

Just a thought...

 

[komodo182]

the 55 and 30 have been for around a month, but i used water and filters from my 125. I forgot to mention the 125 has few nitrites, but nitrates are very high in the tank

If you have high nitrates it means you have to do more water changes.
If you can't keep up with the water changes you need to decrease your stock.

I would say, all your tanks are still cycling.

Water from another tank will do nothing. the filter media would help.

 

[Wackamole]

We actually used the same kit, I tested his tanks because I couldnt believe that they would be any better than mine

 

[CLDarnell]

Sorry, just read your replies. Nitrates are the end of the nitrogen cycle. The only (cheap, practical) way to remove them is with water changes. How much are changing daily?