What can I do to fix this!

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that_fish_Guy

that_fish_Guy

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2013
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I just tested my water in my 180 I have 2 juvinile oscars and one NTT datnoid in there. My ammonia is 0ppm my nitrite is 0ppm but my nitrate is so high it's embarrassing :( it's 80ppm or more !!! How can I fix this help! The tank is cycled it's been running for over a year and I cleaned my FX6 a week ago I also did a 25%-30% WC 20 mins before testing I think the nitrates have just came from the water change because my fish are always fine... I will test again tommorow at the same time


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What is your normal water change routine? And 80 is not horrible. Good to see you notice and are aware. Now you can work on making it better

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that_fish_Guy said:
I just tested my water in my 180 I have 2 juvinile oscars and one NTT datnoid in there. My ammonia is 0ppm my nitrite is 0ppm but my nitrate is so high it's embarrassing :( it's 80ppm or more !!! How can I fix this help! The tank is cycled it's been running for over a year and I cleaned my FX6 a week ago I also did a 25%-30% WC 20 mins before testing I think the nitrates have just came from the water change because my fish are always fine... I will test again tommorow at the same time


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Click to expand...

1) 3 fish that are 4" in length weigh ~.39 lbs
2) feeding them 5% net body weight per day with zero water changes will take ~91 days to accumulate 80 ppm nitrates

How often do you do water changes?

I would test the tap water to make sure the test is working correctly.
 
I do water changes once a day to spot clean the tank of debris approximately 5 gallons a day and I do a 20-25% a week. I have treated my oscar for ich recently with salt successfully along with raising the temp if that helps. I have slacked on water changes this past week because I started school on Monday and I had to be on top of it ahead of time for my senior year. I had to get other business taken care of so I haven't been doing as I normally do... I am starting to get on top of my tanks after preparing for my schooling and get them back to near perfect so I got a new API test kit. I have 7-8 tanks to deal with now so it's hard being a senior in high school and balancing school priorities with my passion. I know that's no excuse to slack on my fish but life happens. I will do water changes as suggested and re-test in 48 hours or so.

EDIT: they aren't all 4 inches ??oscars are 4 inches each and NTT is about 7-9 inches it's hard to tell when he is in the water. Also forgot to mention I have a severum in there who is about 4 inches also. Haven't had him for long and I forgot to list him as being in the tank


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Do a couple of 50-60% water change in the next week and your tank will be back in shape. Don't know what kind of substrate but if sand, give it a good stir 30 minutes prior to water change. If gravel vacuum it real good.
 
20-25 percent water change is not enough. Do a larger water change each week and you will get things looking even better permanently.

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Are you overfeeding or feeding something frozen like beefheart or raw seafood? 80ppm on a BB 180 with low stock is pretty hard to accomplish.

Also try testing your tap water. Sometimes nitrates are present in tap, but 80?? Yikes. I don't like it when mine creep over 10.
 
DIDYSIS said:
20-25 percent water change is not enough. Do a larger water change each week and you will get things looking even better permanently.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
when I do my weekly water changes I drain the tank until there's only enough water to let the fish stay upright, about 85%.
 
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