Help with fixing very low pH level and very high nitrates

[NY SURF RIDER]

I've got a 125g, Mainly CA cichlid tank. Running a fluval 405 and 305, as well as a HOB filter.

Stocked with 1 Red Tiger Mota, 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 Salvini, 1 Five Star General, 2 Pictus Catfish, 1 Bichir, 5 Corys, 8 Danio's. No aggression issues.



Ammonia: 0
nitrite:0
nitrate's: 100+
pH: Soo yellow it doesn't even match anything on the color scale. Very low.

My water change schedule isn't religious, I do about 30% every week and 1/2...or...2 weeks.

I just changed the carbon in my Fluval's to Chemo Pure Elite, I've added some pH increaser, I'll see if that helps anything in the morning..


Any suggestions on getting the pH up and lowering the nitrate levels? I know a more rigorous water change schedule would help.. but this nitrate is above 100...

 

[dmopar74]

water changes, water changes, water changes......

 

[brianp]

The most likely explanation for the acidification is the aerobic metabolism within your tank, coupled with release of organic acids by both the fish and bacteria. Your aquarium is a closed system and any buffering capacity which the water has can be quickly overwhelmed by these acids. Based upon my personal experience (I also have this problem), the routine addition of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will correct this problem immediately. Others will advocate adding crushed coral to your filter. Personally, I prefer the bicarb, because it acts immediately and does not take up valuable filter space. You should also perform more frequent water changes.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Follow my sig...

 

[Bderick67]

Well since you are not wanting to do water changes, in order to fix the problem you can just sell the tank.

The most likely explanation for the acidification is the aerobic metabolism within your tank, coupled with release of organic acids by both the fish and bacteria. Your aquarium is a closed system and any buffering capacity which the water has can be quickly overwhelmed by these acids. Based upon my personal experience (I also have this problem), the routine addition of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will correct this problem immediately. Others will advocate adding crushed coral to your filter. Personally, I prefer the bicarb, because it acts immediately and does not take up valuable filter space. You should also perform more frequent water changes.

The baking soda will do nothing to help with the nitrate problem though.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I do 75% weekly on all my FW tanks & 90% weekly on my discus tank.

 

[Miguel]

they've said it....and you need to add in some buffering capacity as said, also...I would put in a bag of crushed coral or Calcium Carbonate ( which I find works very well)

 

[Pufferpunk]

This may not be necessary. I wouldn't add a buffer until the nitrate is straightened out.

 

[NY SURF RIDER]

Sell the tank... cute response. Beat it. 30% every 2 weeks isn't enough, alright, any tips on getting the nitrates below 100+ that doesnt involve a 100% water change at once

 

[Mr Pleco]

The most likely explanation for the acidification is the aerobic metabolism within your tank, coupled with release of organic acids by both the fish and bacteria. Your aquarium is a closed system and any buffering capacity which the water has can be quickly overwhelmed by these acids. Based upon my personal experience (I also have this problem), the routine addition of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will correct this problem immediately. Others will advocate adding crushed coral to your filter. Personally, I prefer the bicarb, because it acts immediately and does not take up valuable filter space. You should also perform more frequent water changes.

I do bi weekly water changes of 20% each. I use baking soda w/ every waterchange and my PH has remained constant....be carefull you don't raise your PH too fast or any AMM could become lethal....

Here's a link to a thread where "Brianp" answered my questions and it also has a link in the thread to a caculator of sorts for using Sodium Bicarbonate.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134396&highlight=sodium+bicarbonate