Nitrate Problem

[calisucks]

I can't seem to bring down the nitrate level in my tank. Its a 150 with an xp4, 25 watt uv and a wet/dry on it. I just did a 45 percent water change but the nitrate level is still reading high. I only have 2 4" dorados and 1 8 inche clown knife.. Any suggestions would be appreciated..

 

[DiXoN]

try a different test kit, i had the same problem for a few weeks my reading was always 60ppm + even after 50% water changes.
i tried a different kit and it was 10ppm.
if the kit is right then more frequent changes are required.

 

[ewurm]

How often do you do water changes?

 

[calisucks]

I change the water once a week.

 

[CHOMPERS]

test your tap water. You can only get it as low as the tap water. If it is that high, you will need to age your water with plants such as pothos.

 

[Bderick67]

I can't seem to bring down the nitrate level in my tank. Its a 150 with an xp4, 25 watt uv and a wet/dry on it. I just did a 45 percent water change but the nitrate level is still reading high. I only have 2 4" dorados and 1 8 inche clown knife.. Any suggestions would be appreciated..

When you say high what does that mean? How many ppm? Could be your test kit. Get a good quality kit. Test your nitrate level before and after a 50% water change, you should see the nitrate level cut in half, unless your tap water has real high levels

 

[calisucks]

Well for the test strips it only goes up to 10ppm and right now its showing that my tank is at 10ppm even after a 45% water change. The tap is showing that its at 0ppm. So the only thing I can do is do another water change??

 

[ewurm]

If your test kit only goes up to 10 ppm, It only measures low levels of nitrate. Normally nitrate test kits measure to at least 40ppm. Are you sure it isn't a NITRITE test kit?

 

[calisucks]

Yes I just double checked the bottle and it says NITRATE...I'm going to test it tomorrow with the Tetra Laborett test kit and how that goes..

 

[johnptc]

i change alot of water and never get below 20 ppm...........

i run new water into the tank 24/7 ....20% per day !!!!
my tap water is near 0 ppm

have fun.its a great hobby.......