Nitrate! HELP!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
cut back on feeding.

That could be the big problem.
Number one cause of high nitrate levels is overfeeding.
But, even that can be controlled by a stepped up cleaning/WC schedule.
If it were me, I would try cleaning/WC first, before going the plant, nitrate reducing resins route.
 
KaiserSousay;4860066; said:
cut back on feeding.

That could be the big problem.
Number one cause of high nitrate levels is overfeeding.
But, even that can be controlled by a stepped up cleaning/WC schedule.
If it were me, I would try cleaning/WC first, before going the plant, nitrate reducing resins route.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

As to the cleaning thing, sometimes when you feed big fish, a scrap of something like shrimp or fish filet (or even a small dead feeder fish) can get trapped in a nook or even the filter and you don't notice it... As it breaks down it releases a lot of ammonia, which ups your nitrates in the end. Check for stuff like that all over the tank.
Otherwise, I don't see a downside of adding plants, really only benefits. Some members here have had success with dangling pothos house plant roots in the water, they suck up nitrates and don't have heavy light requirements to grow.
 
Don't stop at 50%. Change as much as you can. 80-90%. If you have a way to be filling it while you empty, do that... put the new water hose in there and keep draining from the opposite side, and let it sit in equilibrium like that for a while before letting it fill to the top. Just add the dechlorinator repeatedly. You'll waste a bit of that but who cares.

What is your substrate? How much of it do you have?

My cousin keeps pea gravel in his tank, and I'm babysitting it for a while during his move. Even though he cut down on the amount of it, the amount of gunk it stores is insane. I spend all kinds of time vacuuming it and do an 80% water change and the nitrates MAYBE get down to 20. Meanwhile my other tanks are generally at 5 or better after a big WC. Gravel is actually easier to vacuum, but that's because it stores so much crap.
 
I have incredible nitrAte levels in my bare-bottom tanks. Heavy fish load is to blame for that. Mech sponges need to be cleaned out often, and I do at least 2-50% water changes per week.

My tanks with substrate are planted, and even without water changes, the nitrates stay below 15. I never vacuum the gravel (since it would disrupt the soil the plants are planted in.) I'm going to end up planting all of my non-goldfish tanks. The goldfish tanks will just have to stay on my frequent, large water change schedule.
 
You do have to be careful with huge water changes if your nitrates are extremely high. Too quick a change from "bad" water to "good" water can do more harm than good and send fish into shock.
 
nitrates are fine just means everythings working good.setup a drip system bwiplumbing.com has a fresh water unit for $105 than you never have to do waterchanges and their will be a constant drip of fresh water all day.
 
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