Help with Nitrate problem

[patatmblife]

I can't imagine making more water changes... and frankly i am afraid to.

Your biofilter is obviously working well if you have increasing nitrate levels. Fish eat -> poop -> ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate. Changing water removes nitrate. You've already established that you don't want to do more than two 50% water changes per week.

You say you want to keep the nitrate levels below 20 ppm, let's assume 10 ppm after each water change that you do twice a week. Then your fish should ideally produce no more than 10 ppm every 3.5 days. This is the best rule of thumb for stocking (my opinion).

If they are producing more than that then you need to:
1. Decrease amount of feeding
2. Decrease number of fish
3. Increase volume of water (bigger tank)

If your ammonia and nitrite is both at 0 then extra filtration won't help.

 

[tcarswell]

Your biofilter is obviously working well if you have increasing nitrate levels. Fish eat -> poop -> ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate. Changing water removes nitrate. You've already established that you don't want to do more than two 50% water changes per week.

You say you want to keep the nitrate levels below 20 ppm, let's assume 10 ppm after each water change that you do twice a week. Then your fish should ideally produce no more than 10 ppm every 3.5 days. This is the best rule of thumb for stocking (my opinion).

If they are producing more than that then you need to:
1. Decrease amount of feeding
2. Decrease number of fish
3. Increase volume of water (bigger tank)

If your ammonia and nitrite is both at 0 then extra filtration won't help.

x2 Exactly

 

[Poekin]

I've got a lot of great info from this thread. And i've already began to bring my levels down with more frequent water changes and less feeding. So thanks again


However, no one really answered my question about adding the Seachem de-nitrate. Would you this be a good move for me? I am trying to achieve perfect water

Speaking of which, I am also interested in adding a UV sterilizer... would this have any affect on my nitrate levels, water clarity or anything? Or is my tank already way overfiltered?

 

[Matt724]

Hey, this is a little besides the point of this thread but I am interested in lake tanganyika tanks and want to know your stock is and what kind of rocks you have and where you got them.

 

[Poekin]

Here you go dude
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204515

The canopy was built by a fellow MFK'r... the rocks i bought from a MFK'r... the moba's i bought from a MFK'r... well, you get the point.

 

[nomadofthehills]

If your nitrates are only at 20, I wouldn't really worry, at all. I would consider doing larger water changes. Try a 75 and a 50, and see if that makes a difference. To be honest I do 90%s on all my tanks once a week.

 

[patatmblife]

The UV sterilizer won't affect the nitrate or make your water clearer. For water clarity add a water polisher to your filter. My overstocked cichlid tank is crystal clear after I added the water polisher.

Speaking of which, I am also interested in adding a UV sterilizer... would this have any affect on my nitrate levels, water clarity or anything?

 

[tcarswell]

I have to do two 50% a week to keep my water at 20 as well. Out of curiousity what is your test kit? I use API liquid test. Also Have you tested 24 hour old tap water to see if your tap has nitrates in it?