High Nitrates.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
N

Novaman1967

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 22, 2010
62
0
0
Ontario Canada
Hey people:

Just looking for a little advice here. I have had my ray tank going for 3 months now, the male motoro has been in it for 2 months. I just tested the tank earlier this week, and these are the results, PH.6.5, ammonia 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm and Nitrates above the highest reading on the Freshwater API master test kit colour chart, the water is acutally redish.

I changed out the water on wed about 40% refilled it with declorinated water, tested for nitrates again the next day and same results. Did another water change last nite about 15%. Tested it again and same results the Nitrated are off the top of the scale.

Both filters are good, checked them cleaned what i could. The ray is not bothered right now, he is active like normal, eating very well.

The test kit i just bought is An API master test kit.

Looking for a little advice,do i worry or just keep changed out the water every few days until the nitrates come down.

Another sign nitrates were getting high was I am starting to see some algae growth. I only have the lights on for about 6 hrs a day.

Thanks

Novaman
 
Yah I would keep doing water changes until it comes down

Any info on tank size and type of filters and your feeding schedule might also be helpful

I wouldn't be too alarmed until you notice any distress in the ray
 
I would do daily 50% changes to get them back down. Please give us tank and filtration info. I don't want to sound rude but are you doing the test correctly? The Nitrate is the hardest test. Just make sure you follow the directions to a tee. What are you saying is reddish, the tank water or the test? The 40 ppm which is where my tank stays is the bright red on the card.
 
The tank is a 100 gallon and he is the only one in it right now. I feed him twice daily usually some frozen foods and one or 2 night crawlers.

I make sure i either scoop out or vaccum the tank so as not to leave a lot of his messes in there too long.

I follow the nitrate test to a tea, add 10 drops to the test tube from bottle #1 mix it up, then shake vigorously bottle #2 for 30 seconds, then add 10 drops to the test tube and shake vigorously for 1 minute, by the time the minute is up the test tube water is basically a red colour, maybe thats normal im not sure.

THe Filters i have right now are a Rena Xp2 and a HOB filter, with ammonia killing pouches in the canister filter along with the foam pads and carbon bag.

Also have 2 air bubblers in the tank, so i have lots of surface agitation and circulation.

Also have 3 amazon sword plants in the tank.


I just fed him about 10 min before posting this reply and he is quite happy.

I will change the water out every day or other day until the nitrates come down i guess.

THanks for the info guys
 
I am guessing he is a pup since you have not had him long

you may just need to do more frequent water changes

But i would also test your tap water you may have high nitrates in your tap water

Or maybe a ton of chloramine which is taken care of by the stress coat but then the ammonia is being cycled by your filter?

the last part is just a guess lol
 
FishDog;4257773; said:
I would do daily 50% changes to get them back down. Please give us tank and filtration info. I don't want to sound rude but are you doing the test correctly? The Nitrate is the hardest test. Just make sure you follow the directions to a tee. What are you saying is reddish, the tank water or the test? The 40 ppm which is where my tank stays is the bright red on the card.
Click to expand...
I am glad to hear yours is at 40ppm. Mine is also at 40ppm before my weekly water changes. Time to get back into rays. Waiting for that special marble.
 
Yeah thats possible could have high nitrates in the tap water, as for the choramine, i treat the water with proper Ph 6.5 which is made by API, looks like good stuff, treats water as well as maintaing ph.

I will do more frequent water changes and keep you guys informed of the results.

Regards Novaman
 
if you are still puzzled by this, try getting a second opinion on your water, take it to your LFS for a test. try taking a gallon or two out in a seperate container when you do your water change and see if something like "nitraban" has any effect on it, it should show up on your test kit immediately that the nitrates are lower, if not then I'd say your test kit was contaminated.
 
if you stress yourself out over nitrates then you will always be stressed

in my old tank the readings were never below 150 ppm with no problems and my rays were breeding in that water

if you do 2 x 25% water changes per week that will be fine

also maybe cut down to 1 feed per day
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom