Help with fixing very low pH level and very high nitrates

[mojo2776]

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

Do a 50% water change, then in a couple of days do another 50% water change. Then maintain weekly 50% water changes while monitoring you water paramaters to make sure that nitrate level stays down. I'd hold off on using anything to modify your ph until you get the nitrates down... at that point, you may not need to add anything else (as someone else explained).

 

[NY SURF RIDER]

Thank you. I'm gonna do a 50% water change today. and I'll do another either Wednesday or Thursday. I also bought some Seachem De*nitrate, which I'll add to the hang on back filter once the water changes are done and I've got nitrates down substantially.

The consenus is to hold off on the pH adjusting until after nitrates are reduced?

 

[Pufferpunk]

Start out doing a 25% WC, 2x/day for 2 days, then a 50% WC on the 3rd day. If that doesn't get it <20, do another one every day until it does. Then keep up with 50% weekly & your tank should be fine, unless it's way overstocked.

 

[ar0wan]

It's all been said. I particularly agree with not addressing the pH issue until the nitrates are under control. I would expect that it will rebound 'some' but you should re-evaluate those readings when the water is clean.

 

[NY SURF RIDER]

If this matters any,

Nitrates from the Tap: Less than 5

pH of Tap: 7.3

 

[dmopar74]

this

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

plus this

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

equals this

If this matters any,

Nitrates from the Tap: Less than 5

pH of Tap: 7.3

 

[NY SURF RIDER]

haha yea I'm seeing that.. Its just a matter of getting this nitrate level reduced substantially.. and then I can get a new regime of water changes in order.. of atleast 40% weekly and see if that restores the pH and keeps nitrates at bay..

I'm getting a lot of mixed ideas on how to get the nitrate level down... Some say do 20% twice a day for a few days and then a large 50% changes.. Others say do a 50% change and then 2 days later do another 50% change.. I also heard that I should only add 5g of new water per every half hour..

Guess I'll just do whatevers more convienant, most likely I'll do a 30% change every day for the next few days and then one larger, 50% change, and see if that gets me where I want to be

 

[FSM]

How long has it been since you did one? Doing a massive water change will not make your fish happy. Several small ones in a row is better. 30% a day is fine. Try to keep your nitrates under 20.

 

[brianp]

haha yea I'm seeing that.. Its just a matter of getting this nitrate level reduced substantially.. and then I can get a new regime of water changes in order.. of atleast 40% weekly and see if that restores the pH and keeps nitrates at bay..

I'm getting a lot of mixed ideas on how to get the nitrate level down... Some say do 20% twice a day for a few days and then a large 50% changes.. Others say do a 50% change and then 2 days later do another 50% change.. I also heard that I should only add 5g of new water per every half hour..

Guess I'll just do whatevers more convienant, most likely I'll do a 30% change every day for the next few days and then one larger, 50% change, and see if that gets me where I want to be

The reduction (dilution) of nitrates is linear. For example, if the nitrate level is 50 ppm and you perform a 50% water change, the nitrates will drop to 25 ppm.

 

[Pufferpunk]

By doing larger WC at 1st, you willl drasticly change your pH, causing pH shock. That is why it is recommended to start out with several smaller WC & work your way up to the larger ones in a couple of days.