If the levels of nitrate get too high how long do you wait after doing a water change to test the water again? Can you test immediately to re check the levels of nitrates or should you wait to do it the next day? Thanks.
Testing nitrates?
- Thread starter Peacock_bass
- Start date
I’d check in a week. Keep a log and so u can figure out if the water changes ur doing are effective
You can check them an hour later to see how much they came down. The only reason to wait an hour is to let the new and old water circulate and mix properly again. What is needed is a series of water changes and a log of nitrates so that you can determine what an appropriate water change schedule is for your bioload.
I look at nitrates as a barometer of when to do water changes, and how much to change.
If after a water change, and your nitrates read 5ppm, but after 2 weeks, your nitrate level is already at 40 ppm, to me this means, maybe a water change every week is needed. But if after only 7 days your nitrate level is still up around 20 or 30ppm, it may mean you need to do a water change every 3 days as a normal routine, (and maybe your mechanical filter media needs cleaning more often) and maybe the volume of your water change wasn't enough.
Or.....if you do a water change and you're nitrate level directly after the change is 20 ppm, it would mean to me, the volume of water changed, was not also enough.
If after a water change, and your nitrates read 5ppm, but after 2 weeks, your nitrate level is already at 40 ppm, to me this means, maybe a water change every week is needed. But if after only 7 days your nitrate level is still up around 20 or 30ppm, it may mean you need to do a water change every 3 days as a normal routine, (and maybe your mechanical filter media needs cleaning more often) and maybe the volume of your water change wasn't enough.
Or.....if you do a water change and you're nitrate level directly after the change is 20 ppm, it would mean to me, the volume of water changed, was not also enough.
If you do a water change and then turn your pump back on and maybe your powerheads, if you have them, the water will get mixed up pretty quick. So theoretically you could test your water again pretty quick. But there may be some science involved where it's not as straight forward as that and i'm sure, if that's the case, then the tech guys will correct me.
I'd be more concerned why your nitrates sky rocketed in the first place. Has anything changed in your tank or have you simply been slacking in your maintainance? One thing is for sure, as kno4te pointed out, you will need to monitor your nitrate for a while to give you a better idea where your new water change schedule needs to be, and then stick to it if you want to maintain an acceptably low level of nitrate.
I'd be more concerned why your nitrates sky rocketed in the first place. Has anything changed in your tank or have you simply been slacking in your maintainance? One thing is for sure, as kno4te pointed out, you will need to monitor your nitrate for a while to give you a better idea where your new water change schedule needs to be, and then stick to it if you want to maintain an acceptably low level of nitrate.
I normally do 50-60% water change once a week. I think it has gone up all of the sudden because the fish have grown and eat more and that has caused the bioload to go up. Also I added a fish so that will also make the bioload more. So I now know I need to do more water changes. That's why I ask how soon you can get a accurate reading after a water change. So I can start getting a log of what the numbers are and see how often or how much I need to change.
And check your tap water nitrate level as this can vary depending on the source, location you live, different seasons of the year and if supplied by a public utility that number might change if they need to treat the source water or during emergency situations.
If and when I test I do it shortly before a water change. Now that I am doing major water changes about every 3 days I rarely check it.
I do monitor ammonia and ph 24/7
I do monitor ammonia and ph 24/7
This sounds like the reason for increased nitrate, as fish grow water changes need to be increased, what works for 4" juvies, is not sufficient for adults, and adding another fish simply increased bio-load.
You may be at a point with P -bass where a 50-60% water change twice per week or more is needed.
With my tanks in the states, with large cichlids, I had to do 30-40%water changes every other day to keep nitrate at my max goal of 5 ppm.