I have zero ammonia, nitrites, perfect PH but my nitrate levels are through the roof. I've done a few water changes, cleaned my filters of any debris, checked my local water supply for nitrates(zero) and I've fed my fish less but I can't seem to lower my nitrates. I don't have overstocked tanks. Anybody has any advice? Thanks
High nitrate levels
- Thread starter Yumu
- Start date
There is a large build-up of waste somewhere in your tank. What does the decor look like? Are there lots of nooks where waste can gather?
Vacuuming your gravel helps a lot. Try banging your filter floss/sponges against a brick wall. Not all pieces of your sponge/floss at one time, since you don't want to cause a spike in your cycle. A lot of crud accumulates in there that you can't get out by just wringing it and rinsing it over and over.
Also, when you do water changes, if you remove 25% of your water, and your nitrates started out at 200, you are only bringing the level down to 150, which is still way too high. I would do a 50% water change, then another after 8-12 hours, and another 50% another 8-12 hours after that.
Also, when you do water changes, if you remove 25% of your water, and your nitrates started out at 200, you are only bringing the level down to 150, which is still way too high. I would do a 50% water change, then another after 8-12 hours, and another 50% another 8-12 hours after that.
Agreed. People overestimate the effectiveness of a waterchange.
How understocked are you? Are we talking a single guppy in a 20 gallon tank?
How understocked are you? Are we talking a single guppy in a 20 gallon tank?
There is most likely a stash of fish waste somewhere.
Look carefully at rocks tightly placed against your glass for this.
Vacuum and water changes are the only key and don't expect it to disappear overnight. When this happened to me it took 4 days of 30% water changes to make an impact.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas
Look carefully at rocks tightly placed against your glass for this.
Vacuum and water changes are the only key and don't expect it to disappear overnight. When this happened to me it took 4 days of 30% water changes to make an impact.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas
I actually have the problem in two of my tanks. A 55g with a single flowerhorn(5-6 inches) with no gravel and a 65g with two barred Midas 3-4inches each and a Kaurassi cichlid about 5-6 inches with no gravel.. I have a fluval 405 for my 65g and a fluval C6 and a aquaclear 55 for my 55g.. I've cleaned all the tubing.. I've tried everything... I'm lost. Thanks guys for the help.. Merry Christmas