Need advice about lowering Nitrates

[mcsnapper1]

So, in my 2 tanks (sizes and stock list in my sig.) I consistently have high Nitrates. 80+. My ammonia and nitrites are always at 0 and PH is always consistent. I use an API liquid test that is 6 months old. I do weekly WC of 25%. Both tanks have been established for about a year. I use Prime when I do WC, so I assume the nitrate is locked up, but I want it gone. Also, I don't think I over feed. Any suggestions?
I forgot to mention filtration---Fluval 405 and HOB on 55, 2 Fluval 405's on 135

 

[geronimo69]

Have you tested your source water? It might have nitrates in it before you even add it to the tank. Second question is what is your filter cleaning schedule? You might have a nitrate trap somewhere. Third thought is that you just might have an increased bioload since your fish have obviously grown over the past year. You might have to increase to 50% water changes a week. Just a few opinions, good luck with it.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Start doing a weekly water change of 50%.

 

[mcsnapper1]

Have you tested your source water? It might have nitrates in it before you even add it to the tank. Second question is what is your filter cleaning schedule? You might have a nitrate trap somewhere. Third thought is that you just might have an increased bioload since your fish have obviously grown over the past year. You might have to increase to 50% water changes a week. Just a few opinions, good luck with it.

Thanks. Source is 0. Filter cleaning is every 2 weeks, never cleaning everything at once.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Also, adding fast growing live plants will help. Pothos house plants have become quite popular on MFK lately--dangle the roots in the tank water and let the leaves grow above the tank.

 

[mcsnapper1]

What about a nitrate filter I can add to my canisters?

 

[mcsnapper1]

Also, adding fast growing live plants will help. Pothos house plants have become quite popular on MFK lately--dangle the roots in the tank water and let the leaves grow above the tank.

I've tried live plants in the substrate and they always get up rooted, but never a floating plant. I'll see if I can find one locally.

 

[fishmanbob87]

i think you have to suspend the pothos plant above the water somehow and just let the roots submerge.

 

[jgjoneslaw]

You're overstocked which is causing the really high nitrates. Your goal should be to stay under 20 ppm nitrates. So for example, in your 55 gallon just the pleco by himself would probably get the tank to near 20ppm nitrates in a about a week under normal feeding conditions. So add to that all those other fish, your 25% changes are not nearly enough. You are going to have to start doing twice weekly large water changes like 80% or get bigger tanks. You won't be able to add nearly enough plants to that tank to take care of those nitrates.

 

[aclockworkorange]

i think you have to suspend the pothos plant above the water somehow and just let the roots submerge.

Correct.