Help with fixing very low pH level and very high nitrates

[NY SURF RIDER]

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.

Ok.. so if my nitrates are 150ppm, I do a 30% change today it drops it to 135ppm, I do another 30% the next day, drops it to 120%ppm and so on?

Doing two water changes in a day... is that counterproductive? Am I just changing the fresh water that I put in earlier?

 

[NY SURF RIDER]

Did a nice water change earlier, the nitrates are still through the roof but atleast the pH has gone up to 6.2.. I'll keep plugging away at the nitrates with daily 30% water changes and hopefully have them down to under 40ppm after a week, then hopefully weekly water changes of 40% will be enough to keep everything running smoothly.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[tyl089]

crushed limestones and/or crushed corals will help with buffering of PH.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Water Change Math

Water Changes- Why, How Much, and How Often

 

[brianp]

Ok.. so if my nitrates are 150ppm, I do a 30% change today it drops it to 135ppm, I do another 30% the next day, drops it to 120%ppm and so on?

Doing two water changes in a day... is that counterproductive? Am I just changing the fresh water that I put in earlier?

If you start with nitrates at 150 ppm and perform a 30% wc.....
150 ppm x 0.7 = 105 ppm final

If you start with 150 ppm and perform a 50% wc, followed by a 30% wc.....
150 ppm x 0.5 x 0.7 = 53 ppm final

*You will need to perform two 50% wcs.....
150 ppm x 0.5 x 0.5 = 38 ppm 40 ppm is ok, not great, but ok

Doing two wcs in one day is ok. Yes, you are tossing out some of the water you just added, but that's not the point.

 

[NY SURF RIDER]

I'm not comfortable doing a 50% change. Besides that with the different water parameters of the tank and tap it could shock the fish, its a pain in the ass with the ole 5 gallon bucket and trips back and forth to the sink system I've got. I'm gonna do 30% daily for the next week and hopefully see improvement.

 

[NY SURF RIDER]

I should invest in that "Python No Spill Clean & Fill" but I've got a pretty good feeling the faucet on my kitchen sink is not standard and won't be able to attach.