What do I do- Nitrates high?

[NandM]

Hi There,

So I tested the water in the tank, everything was fine except the Nitrates were like 200?? The GH was also very high.

Is there anything I can do quickly and easily to fix this?

Please help, the fish still aren't eating and I don't want to lose them all due to inexperience.

TIA!

 

[BushFishRox]

you need to do water changes. take out old dirty tank water and put in new fresh water with a Python no spill system and a dechlorinator like Seachem Prime.

here this should help too...

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/water_changes.php

http://www.aquariumfishblog.com/the-aquarium-water-change_44.htm

 

[bigspizz]

Do a 20% change and then do another later...Do this every day until the nitrates get back down to planet earth....200 is cause for concern. Try to keep them under 30ppm for future reference...The ONLY way (within reason) to remove nitrates is changing water...

 

[NandM]

Thank you so much for the links! I will be changing the water today!

 

[gomezladdams]

10-20% daily or every other day till you get in the 30-40 range,then step it up to 50% and do that often enough to keep it below 20

 

[NandM]

Well, it turns out our Nitrates were fine, but PH was not good at all. We did a 20% water change last night, and all I can say is those fish changed immediately!! They began swimming like crazy, coming to the top, even the Plecos came out of their rocks and I think it was a HUGE help!

So thanks to the guys at the AQUARIUM for all your help!!

Late tonight we'll try to feed them, making sure to wait 24 hours and see if they eat...they sure looked happy!

 

[BushFishRox]

just make sure to keep up with regular water changes.

 

[bolty]

get it to around 20 - 30 - 40 by doing water changes, if my tap water would do that I would be over the moon........... from the tap mine is 50 < thats teasted with liquid and tablet test kits.
us in the UK must have crap water, or atleast around where I am

sorry to but in.

you guys have me thinking now?
is 50 to much?

 

[BushFishRox]

get it to around 20 - 30 - 40 by doing water changes, if my tap water would do that I would be over the moon........... from the tap mine is 50 < thats teasted with liquid and tablet test kits.
us in the UK must have crap water, or atleast around where I am

you might want to check with your water company, I know here mine is 0 but they are only allowed up to 10ppm...

 

[bolty]

I might have look into this now, thanks mate