I now have over 150 pieces of bamboo in my new sump. If nitrates dont start going down in a few weeks I will add a bunch of pothos. Thanks for the tip on the plants.
I do not stir the sand. But i have gotten to the realization that the sand must be cleaned. So i will start cleaning the sand with a syphin when i do water changes.
It had been a almost 4 months since i had cleaned out my canisters. So last week i cleaned out my fx5. This week i will clean out my fulval 404.
Tap water nitrate are 10ppm. This really bumbs me out. I want to set up a constant drip system from my tap. Is their any point in doing this with nitrate at 10ppm from the tap?
I do 50% water changes once a week. I dont have the time to do two water changes a week. Thats why im trying for every other option.
I use the API nitrate test kit. I kept my old one under my tank and was told that if i kept the test in high temp. that it would give inaccurate reading. So i bought a new kit and got slightly lower results but still way too high.
I have about an inch and a half of sand in the tank. So im going to try and bring the sand down to 1/2 inch. Im thinking the sand is whats spiking the nitrate so high. Im just scared i wont get the problem fixed in enough time before the ray dies.
I really want to thank everyone for giving advice. Im the only one in my area that i know of that keeps large fish. This nitrate issue has been waying heavy on my mind for a long time now. No one else cares. Its nice to have people who are taking the time to help me out. My fish and I thank you. Ill update in a week of my nitrate progress. Hopefully the new plant sump helps.
I do not stir the sand. But i have gotten to the realization that the sand must be cleaned. So i will start cleaning the sand with a syphin when i do water changes.
It had been a almost 4 months since i had cleaned out my canisters. So last week i cleaned out my fx5. This week i will clean out my fulval 404.
Tap water nitrate are 10ppm. This really bumbs me out. I want to set up a constant drip system from my tap. Is their any point in doing this with nitrate at 10ppm from the tap?
I do 50% water changes once a week. I dont have the time to do two water changes a week. Thats why im trying for every other option.
I use the API nitrate test kit. I kept my old one under my tank and was told that if i kept the test in high temp. that it would give inaccurate reading. So i bought a new kit and got slightly lower results but still way too high.
I have about an inch and a half of sand in the tank. So im going to try and bring the sand down to 1/2 inch. Im thinking the sand is whats spiking the nitrate so high. Im just scared i wont get the problem fixed in enough time before the ray dies.
I really want to thank everyone for giving advice. Im the only one in my area that i know of that keeps large fish. This nitrate issue has been waying heavy on my mind for a long time now. No one else cares. Its nice to have people who are taking the time to help me out. My fish and I thank you. Ill update in a week of my nitrate progress. Hopefully the new plant sump helps.