High Nitrates

[kimnici]

Hi, I am new on here and have already asked a couple of questions. I have acquired a tank, with a plec, a silver dollar a flying fox and a swordtail. The whole thing had to be transported and we managed to put back about a third of the original water. The tank was filthy and the deep layer of gravel at the bottom was black with dirt. I needed to get everything up and running as it was late so topped up with RO water and added the powder for it to re mineralise it etc. When I tested the water the next day it was a little acidic and the nitrates really high. I did ask on here the best way to tackle all the dirt in the bottom and was told really best thing would be take the fish out and clean it. So last night we managed to bag the fish, and I cleaned the gravel and put it back in only not so deep. A bit of the original water went back in and was mostly then topped back up with clean RO water and some living plants, which it didn't have before. I estimate the tank to be around 75 litres and I've already been told on here the plec and silver dollar are too big for the tank. Well I tested the water again this morning and although the acidity has gone the nitrate is still really high. I can't give you figures as I was using test strips however it's right at the end of the scale and maybe more. Please can anyone give me a few pointers or advice on this please as I don't understand why this is so. Like I said I have now added plants so I'm hoping in time this will bring it down. The fish seem happy enough though.
The Other little tanks I have set up I did from scratch so they are all fine.
Thanks.

 

[the_lock_man]

If most of the water had been replaced with RO water, then I would suggest that the test strips are giving a false reading.

 

[kimnici]

Well, I might have thought that, however, I used up one tub and started on another so it was tested with two different ones.
Thanks,

 

[the_lock_man]

Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. Have you tried a liquid test kit at all?

 

[kimnici]

Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. Have you tried a liquid test kit at all?

I have always been fine with the strips before as they have worked for me. I did test another tank to check it gave a different reading and that was fine. I was given a liquid test kit among the bits and pieces with the tank and I will give it another go, I've not used one before and I did try that initially but couldn't really seem to determine much from the nitrate test as it didn't seem to change colour. It could be me then and I will try again.
Thanks.

 

[kimnici]

I have tested it with the kit and it's saying over 40 ppm.

 

[the_lock_man]

Nitrate levels at 40ppm are fine, you only need to worry when it's up around 200-300.

 

[kimnici]

Oh that's good thanks. I am hoping it might go down with the addition of the plants too. I have 2 little angel fish that I was hoping to put in but have put it off because of this nitrate reading. So I guess it should be fine to put them in?. It will free up a little tank for two baby platies I discovered recently in my biube, they are in a breeding trap as they are the only two I managed to catch. There were more but I think they have been eaten.
Thanks.

 

[the_lock_man]

Plants will help a little, but the main way to keep nitrates low is weekly water changes.

I'm not an expert on angel fish, but 75l strikes me as a little small, as they need a lot of height. But something of a more orthodox body shape (like a platy for instance) I would think would be fine. It would be best to test the water daily for a couple of weeks, to check that the filter is working ok.

 

[kimnici]

Plants will help a little, but the main way to keep nitrates low is weekly water changes.

I'm not an expert on angel fish, but 75l strikes me as a little small, as they need a lot of height. But something of a more orthodox body shape (like a platy for instance) I would think would be fine. It would be best to test the water daily for a couple of weeks, to check that the filter is working ok.

Yes I know it's not ideal, but it's bigger than the tank they are in. I did have them in a small but tall tank and I had intended to get a bigger and tall tank, the big square type but at the moment I have been given this one for free. They are only small angels at the moment so my intention is still to get something else eventually when finances are a bit better.
Thanks for your help, it's appreciated.

 

[the_lock_man]

Plants will help a little, but the main way to keep nitrates low is weekly water changes.

I'm not an expert on angel fish, but 75l strikes me as a little small, as they need a lot of height. But something of a more orthodox body shape (like a platy for instance) I would think would be fine. It would be best to test the water daily for a couple of weeks, to check that the filter is working ok.

Yes I know it's not ideal, but it's bigger than the tank they are in. I did have them in a small but tall tank and I had intended to get a bigger and tall tank, the big square type but at the moment I have been given this one for free. They are only small angels at the moment so my intention is still to get something else eventually when finances are a bit better.
Thanks for your help, it's appreciated.