Firstly, thanks in advance for any help. I sort of stumbled upon this forum and it is one of the better looking ones I've seen!
Short version first:
-Three weeks ago my nitrate readings were pushing 160ppm using a API
master test kit.
-Today they are almost the same level, maybe a tiny lower.
-I have a fluval 305, a penguin 305 biowheel filter, and a smallish powerhead.
-The aquarium is not overstocked and there are a few plants growing in it.
-In the last 3 weeks I have cleaned the gravel twice, done two 50%
water changes and 4-5 10-20% water changes. My tap water has some
nitrates in it (around 20-40ppm). However this is still much lower
than the levels in the aquarium and the nitrates won't go down!
-A added some de*nitrate to the filter media, although I've read it
isn't all that effective especially with nitrate levels already so
high.
-Considering using store-bought drinking water with no nitrates.
Again, however, I'm perplexed that the nitrate levels haven't gone
down more significantly using 20-40ppm tap water so I don't know how
big of a difference store-bought water would make.
-Help!
Long version, with more details:
I'm having a tough time getting the nitrate levels down in my
aquarium. It is a 100 gallon aquarium with 3 large Bala Sharks (6-7'),
a large Gaurami, and a few tetras. I had purchased a few clown loaches
and an algae eater to replace some fish that had died of old age. The
new fish were dead the next day. I used an API master test kit and pH,
ammonia, and nitrite levels were all within acceptable parameters.
However, the nitrate levels were off the charts (well, at 160ppm, the
highest possible on the color comparison charts).
I began doing some information gathering on how to reduce nitrate
levels. Admittedly the aquarium was somewhat poorly up kept-- partial
(10-20%) water changes every few weeks and a gravel cleaning suction
tube every 5-6 months. The filter, a Fluval 305, was also underrated
for a 100 gallon aquarium (it is rated at 70 gallons). I blame the
high nitrate levels on a combination of poor cleaning and a giant
common plecostomus we used to have (that #19### was messy). All of
this was about 3 weeks ago.
Since about 3 weeks ago I've become more interested in upkeeping my
aquarium and making it a new and habitable place for my fish. In an
effort to lower nitrate levels I have done two 50% water changes and
4-5 partial water changes as well as vacuuming the gravel fairly
thoroughly twice. I purchased a penguin 350 biowheel filter that is
rated for 70 gallons. I also replaced half of the foam filter media in
the fluval 305 filter. I previously had those plastic under-gravel
grate things used for underwater filtration spanning the length of the
aquarium with a powerhead at one end. I found there to be an
incredible amount of gunk that had built up under them so I removed
all but the one that the powerhead is connected to. I have also added
some elodea plants and just today added some de*nitrate remover to the
fluval media containers (although I have read it won't get rid of all
that much nitrate).
I used tap water for all of my water changes. There are some nitrates
in our tap water in the 20-40ppm range so this has made getting the
levels down more difficult, however when I retested the aquarium water
today is still up in the 160ppm range..although the color might have
been a little lighter than before indicating a somewhat of a reduction
of nitrate. Not sure.
In any case, does anyone have any suggestions on how to lower my
nitrate to an acceptable level? I have considered picking up a bunch
of gallon bottled water from Costco or something (which contains no
nirates), but what else can I do?
Thanks again.
Short version first:
-Three weeks ago my nitrate readings were pushing 160ppm using a API
master test kit.
-Today they are almost the same level, maybe a tiny lower.
-I have a fluval 305, a penguin 305 biowheel filter, and a smallish powerhead.
-The aquarium is not overstocked and there are a few plants growing in it.
-In the last 3 weeks I have cleaned the gravel twice, done two 50%
water changes and 4-5 10-20% water changes. My tap water has some
nitrates in it (around 20-40ppm). However this is still much lower
than the levels in the aquarium and the nitrates won't go down!
-A added some de*nitrate to the filter media, although I've read it
isn't all that effective especially with nitrate levels already so
high.
-Considering using store-bought drinking water with no nitrates.
Again, however, I'm perplexed that the nitrate levels haven't gone
down more significantly using 20-40ppm tap water so I don't know how
big of a difference store-bought water would make.
-Help!
Long version, with more details:
I'm having a tough time getting the nitrate levels down in my
aquarium. It is a 100 gallon aquarium with 3 large Bala Sharks (6-7'),
a large Gaurami, and a few tetras. I had purchased a few clown loaches
and an algae eater to replace some fish that had died of old age. The
new fish were dead the next day. I used an API master test kit and pH,
ammonia, and nitrite levels were all within acceptable parameters.
However, the nitrate levels were off the charts (well, at 160ppm, the
highest possible on the color comparison charts).
I began doing some information gathering on how to reduce nitrate
levels. Admittedly the aquarium was somewhat poorly up kept-- partial
(10-20%) water changes every few weeks and a gravel cleaning suction
tube every 5-6 months. The filter, a Fluval 305, was also underrated
for a 100 gallon aquarium (it is rated at 70 gallons). I blame the
high nitrate levels on a combination of poor cleaning and a giant
common plecostomus we used to have (that #19### was messy). All of
this was about 3 weeks ago.
Since about 3 weeks ago I've become more interested in upkeeping my
aquarium and making it a new and habitable place for my fish. In an
effort to lower nitrate levels I have done two 50% water changes and
4-5 partial water changes as well as vacuuming the gravel fairly
thoroughly twice. I purchased a penguin 350 biowheel filter that is
rated for 70 gallons. I also replaced half of the foam filter media in
the fluval 305 filter. I previously had those plastic under-gravel
grate things used for underwater filtration spanning the length of the
aquarium with a powerhead at one end. I found there to be an
incredible amount of gunk that had built up under them so I removed
all but the one that the powerhead is connected to. I have also added
some elodea plants and just today added some de*nitrate remover to the
fluval media containers (although I have read it won't get rid of all
that much nitrate).
I used tap water for all of my water changes. There are some nitrates
in our tap water in the 20-40ppm range so this has made getting the
levels down more difficult, however when I retested the aquarium water
today is still up in the 160ppm range..although the color might have
been a little lighter than before indicating a somewhat of a reduction
of nitrate. Not sure.
In any case, does anyone have any suggestions on how to lower my
nitrate to an acceptable level? I have considered picking up a bunch
of gallon bottled water from Costco or something (which contains no
nirates), but what else can I do?
Thanks again.
/www.bestfish.com/oldtank.html
) and it'll soon be down to what your tap water is 
