Will using prime to lower nitrates and nitrites be sufficient enough?

[BMG94]

As above, I checked my parameters and the Nitrates were showing up as pure red when using the liquid test kit by API.
I freaked out and didn't even bother checking the rest because if the nitrates were that high to me everything else was probably very high, anyways it's 55 gallons and I took 40 gallons out, and used the prime over 5xs the average dosage as recommended on the back of the bottle for emergencies.
Will doing that be enough or should I do another water change in a few hours?
I'd go and buy some stuff that's made specifically for my issues but money is tight right now .

 

[Hendre]

It only binds the Nitrates, not removing it. Best bet is to do more water changes to get nitrate out

 

[deeda]

What have your water changes been previously?

Are you sure you did the nitrate test correctly by shaking the bottles prior to dispensing the drops?

 

[BMG94]

What have your water changes been previously?

Are you sure you did the nitrate test correctly by shaking the bottles prior to dispensing the drops?

I would do weekly changes and sometimes every other week, and yes I shook the bottles and the tubes anytime I added the drops.
Looks like daily water changes are in need and probably twice a day for a week maybe two depending on the levels

 

[deeda]

What are the tap water test results for nitrate?

 

[BMG94]

What are the tap water test results for nitrate?

Never even thought of it, I'll go check right now

 

[Hendre]

I would do weekly changes and sometimes every other week, and yes I shook the bottles and the tubes anytime I added the drops.
Looks like daily water changes are in need and probably twice a day for a week maybe two depending on the levels

What's the tank size, fish and feeding schedule?

 

[BMG94]

I just added the solutions to my tapwater and it's been maybe 2mins and it's looking like it's neutral.. obviously either I need to take out the sand and rinse it or go and buy that nitrate nitrite neutralizer

 

[BMG94]

What's the tank size, fish and feeding schedule?

55 gallons cichlid tank with 7 small cichlids all between 3-4 inches.
I have live plants in there as well as 2 mystery snails, I'd feed them 3xs a day small amounts I spot feed them so the excess food shouldn't have been a problem but I'm not ruling it out, I'm reducing the feedings to once a day until I can clear this up

 

[deeda]

You don't need to buy any product to neutralize nitrite and nitrate. Nitrate is removed from the aquarium via regular and enough water changes plus regular filter maintenance.

You can use Prime as an emergency solution for ammonia and nitrite but that should be an infrequent occurrence.

The API nitrate test requires 5 minutes to develop the solution, no more-no less time wise.