Water quality help

[Leobarri]

Tested water and have a no2 of 0 but a no3 of 160, jst done a big water change to lower this and cleaned both filters. Any advice would b welcome on lowering no3

 

[Tj203]

Tested water and have a no2 of 0 but a no3 of 160, jst done a big water change to lower this and cleaned both filters. Any advice would b welcome on lowering no3

There are many ways to lower nitrates. Water changes are the most common, but you can use plants, algae scrubbers, sulfur denitateors, continuous drip system. It is up to you what one will work for your setup. I don't know if you have fish or you just cycling the tank but 160ppm is way to high. I never let my tank get over 40 ppm. Also depending on your set up doing a big water change and cleaning all your filters can cause a mini cycle. You should only do one filter at a time. Do you vacuum the substrate?

 

[Leobarri]

Yeah do one filter at a time and regular changes. I have malawi chiclids and yeah way to high. My own fault not testing water for a while. Took 80 litres out of my 250 but normally do 50 to 60 litre a week. Running 2 1000ph filters

 

[Leobarri]

Cleaned other filter about 2 weeks ago jst so I don't lose the bacteria build up and done the other filter today. Got sand substrate and jst rocks in tank have 12 fish in atm

 

[Rocksor]

If you do 2 80% water changes in one day, and the nitrates don't go down, then I would be surprised.

Are you saying that after 1 large water change, the nitrates are still 160ppm?

 

[Leobarri]

So if I done another big change Tom then u say I should see a drop.?

 

[Rocksor]

So if I done another big change Tom then u say I should see a drop.?

How much water do you change last time compared to the tank size? One person's large water change is another person's small water change.

 

[Leobarri]

Yeah left it and hr and re tested and still no3 160

 

[Leobarri]

From 250 this time I took 80 litres as wasn't to sure if should do anymore than that but do a weekly one of about 50 litres so only bit more than the weekly one

 

[Rocksor]

Yeah left it and hr and re tested and still no3 160

Well the API nitrate test doesn't show much higher than 160ppm, that means your nitrates are so much higher than 160ppm. What test kit are you using?