Either my test kit is broken, or I have some serious problems.

[Carefree_Dude]

I did water tests today, and found all my tanks were at 80ppm nitrates. I found this strange because one of the tanks only has a few tiny <1" fish. When I checked a week ago, things were only at around 20ppm before my water change.

I tested the tap water... It was at 80ppm. What is the best course to take here? My test kit is only a month old, but I really hope its the test kit that is the problem.

Should I call the water company? Or should I try and get the water tested elsewhere?

In the event that my tap water actually is that bad now, whats the best way to get the nitrates down in my tank otherwise?

 

[Ryan75]

WOW. Do you have a Petsmart or Petco close? They do free water tests...

 

[Carefree_Dude]

its about a 45 mile drive.

 

[Ryan75]

xD..Is there anyone around you that keeps fish?

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

I'd personally avoid the petsmart water tests, they just use the strips. Any LFS?

 

[fishmamma]

It's too late anyway, Petco or Petsmart is not open right now... Just do a WC and call it a night up until tomorrow.. Oh, but if your water... huhhhhh frusterating.. If you have some Prime through some of that in there till you can get somewhere tomorrow...

 

[BlackShark11k]

80? Hah thats nothin....

 

[pacu mom]

Some people who have high nitrates in their tap water use reverse osmosis.

 

[Carefree_Dude]

I got prime, but i get a feeling my tanks have been like this all week. only thing noticeable in my fish is one of my clown loaches is losing the color in his black markings. The closest LFS is the same distance as petco, and they do the nitrate test wrong. They don't do any of the shaking.

I'll put some prime in tonight, and tomorrow i'll see if i can get a hold of anyone at the city, and see if they have a nitrate test available, or if i could bring them a tap water sample. I'm thinking of grabbing a water sample from work real quick, as we have reverse osmosis there.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Sorry to derail, but I constantly see you pointing out difficulties keeping fish where you live and you don't seem to particularly like it anyway... Is there any reason you don't just move?