Nitrate!!!!!!!
- Thread starter TeethKeeper
- Start date
Quote:
Originally Posted by beblondie
Vacuum the substrate
clean the filter media
do water changes
... but not all at once, or you will "wipe out" all beneficial bacteria.
HarleyK
You can rinse out the media
Vacuum the substrate
do water changes
All at he same time it will not "wipe out" all beneficial bacteria.-Anne
Originally Posted by beblondie
Vacuum the substrate
clean the filter media
do water changes
... but not all at once, or you will "wipe out" all beneficial bacteria.
HarleyK
You can rinse out the media
Vacuum the substrate
do water changes
All at he same time it will not "wipe out" all beneficial bacteria.-Anne
Thanks I've been keeping little toothy critters for the last 15 years or so and I have never had any thing get out of hand like this before. I got a little freaked out. But I have all of you to help me out 
you said the fish changed did you have more in there before if so some of the bacteria can be dieing off and causing the spike.
beblondie said:
You go ahead and do that in your tanks, Anne
In a tank with the problems he describes, I'd be too careful to recommend that. With the resulting tremendous reduction of the bacterial population, the peak in nitrates might very well become a peak in nitrites or ammonia. That's not something I'd like to have on my conscience...HarleyK
I used to only test for Nitrite and Ammonia, never had any trouble. I got a test kit for Nitrates, and even after a 30%+ water change, it would read 40-60 PPM. No matter what I did, it never dropped below 40 PPM. The Nitrite and Ammonia always said 0 or close to it. I finally got fed up and got a new test kit. I now get readings of less than 10 PPM of Nitrates, so I must assume the first kit was reading wrong.
Chris
Chris
Harlley i need an explanation on how rinsing the media,vacuuming the substrate,and water changes is going to damage the biofilter?
Rinsing the media in discarded tank water removes built up crud not bacteral colonies
Vacuuming the substrate does not remove nitrafying bacteria it does remove built up crud
water changes simply physicly remove nitrAtes it does not damage the bacterial colonies
the beneficial bacteria forms a bioflim over all surfaces in the tank it is fairly adhevsive even if damaged the size of the colonies double every 24 at 77F and replenishes itself quickly-Anne
Rinsing the media in discarded tank water removes built up crud not bacteral colonies
Vacuuming the substrate does not remove nitrafying bacteria it does remove built up crud
water changes simply physicly remove nitrAtes it does not damage the bacterial colonies
the beneficial bacteria forms a bioflim over all surfaces in the tank it is fairly adhevsive even if damaged the size of the colonies double every 24 at 77F and replenishes itself quickly-Anne
Rinsing filter media in a bucket of dechlored water the same temp as your tank does minimal damage to the bacterial colony, washing it in the sink in hot water can kill it.
I think Your My Lunch or Repair have the answer, It could be a die back of the filter bacteria due to lower bioload in which case the problem will cure itself quickly. It could easily be excess flake food, if you are not used to it overfeeding is almost a given.
In either case add some fast growing plants to help tie up some of the nitrates.
I think Your My Lunch or Repair have the answer, It could be a die back of the filter bacteria due to lower bioload in which case the problem will cure itself quickly. It could easily be excess flake food, if you are not used to it overfeeding is almost a given.
In either case add some fast growing plants to help tie up some of the nitrates.
