lowering nitrate levels

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ksmith088

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 1, 2010
158
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Pittsburgh
I know this is a very common question in MFK but I can not find one that is similar to mine. I have a 220 gallon tank holding only a 15 inch gar and 13 inch Pbass. The tank has been set up for 2 weeks now and all water parameters were good when set up. Water temp stays around 82 degrees and fish have not been eating as much as in their 90 gallon tank since I moved them in. This makes me believe they cant have put that much waste in the water. With this big of a tank and 2 smaller fish, should I still have to do weekly 25% water changes? If yes, do I replace salt, stress coat, etc. every water change for what I have taken out? Also, could this be why they are not eating? Any information is appreciated!!:)
 
You haven't give us quite enough information.

Did you completely CYCLE this tank before adding the fish or did you just transfer them to it?

What type and how many filters are you using on this tank?

What are the current readings for Ammonia, NitrIte and NitrAte?

Your minimum water change schedule depends on the readings you get for NitrAte. If your water supply has chlorine or chloramine in it, you definitely need to add some type of conditioner to remove it. I don't care for Stress Coat personally but use whatever product you need to.

What is the reason for adding Salt when you do a water change?

I cannot answer why they aren't eating. Maybe it is the water parameters, change in tank decor or they are pouting because they are in unfamiliar territory.
 
Since I am new to the hobby, I am still learning terms and not sure what cycling means. I let the tank run for a few days and water parameters were good so I added the 2 fish. My water supply contains no traces of chlorine, nitrates/nitrites, ammonia. Now I am getting very high nitrate readings with 0 ph and 0 ammonia. Did a 25% water change tonight and am going to test tomorrow.

I add salt because that is what I was told to mantain good fish health and prevent dieseases.

Another thing I am starting to get concerned with is the filtration system now. I have 2 aquaclear 110s with foam, zero carb, bio bag media. I also have Wet/dry filtration sump underneath with bio balls. These bio balls are what I am thinking is creating these nitrates with what I am reading about. Should I just remove all the bio balls now since its only been 2 weeks?

I purchased the tank used and cleaned everything very well but only rinsed the bio balls lightly. Should I get new ones, get live rock, or just leave them out and run the aquaclears?

Starting to get a little worried. Thanks for your help!
 
Uhm, I don't want to burst your bubble but their may be bigger problems here then just nitrates, Ill let others handle that..And live rock? that is salt water...
 
haha yeah I assumed something was wrong. Guess its a little obvious I am a rookie. Thanks tho trying to learn as I go. Iv always had great success with marineland filters with my smaller tanks but as soon as I get this 220, I start to get overwhelmed with some things. Iv raised some awesome fish and just trying to get them in a bigger tank. Any info will help. Thanks!!
 
bio balls are good for wet/drys, sounds like u kinda just sumped in head first without knowing a whole lot about bigger tanks/fish hope it all works out
 
Cycle mean that ur tank is able 2 turn all the ammonia and nitrite into nitrate and from ur response ur tank is cycled.
if it were me, i probably still do water changes weekly
As for salt, I only use it when needed not as a weekly preventative.
either ur test kit for pH is out of whack or u just read it wrong cause pH of 0 isn't really possible try it again.

I wouldnt touch the bio balls cause they're doing wat they're suppose 2 be doing. If u take out the bio balls, ur tank wont be as cycled as it should be. If I had 2 guess, ur nitrate is due 2 the wet/dry filter. If im not mistaken, they are known 2 cause nitrate problems because gunk gets stuck on the bio balls which causes the nitrate spikes. Wet/dry make great bio filter but not very good mechanical filters. Also when u say "high" nitrate was are u reading on kits.
 
Im sorry I dont know why I said 0. Ph is between 7.0 and 7.2 and nitrate levels are approx. 80 mg/L which is what scares me.
 
Sounds like your not cycled to me. You added fish to a tank with no established filters. Did you completely clean all media in your wet/dry and both ac110's.
 
Hello

If you have Nitrate it means the filters are working. ( maybe not cycled yet )
One simple way to remove nitrates is WaterChange. More WC = Less nitrate
So maybe change more water weekly ( 40% ) or twice a week ( 20% )
And dont forget to treat your water also you can use a tap water conditioner they usually cost less then the Stress coat and treat more gallons per bottle.
 
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