high nitrites and nitrates

[Angel Lady]

I have done 3 75 percents water changes trying to get these to down the ammonia is o but the rest are high. The readings are nitrate are in between 5.0 and 10 the nitrites are 0.50 the ph has jumped from 7.0 to 7.6 I doubled checked everything to make sure that I wasnt getting a false reading when I done the water change I slowly brung down the ph and it is back up there again. there are no medicine in the water the only thing that is in the water is start right made by jungle could some one help me my bala sharks are hanging around the top. When I changed the water they was high that is the reason why I changed it. Could someone tell me how to get this down I have some stuff called prime it is supposed to take them down but it didnt work so I left it out this tim when I changed the water.

 

[semper fi]

how long has this tank been set up and how close were the 75% water changes?

a large water change is risky, you could crash the tank. meaning you could remove enough of the bacteria which would bring the tank back to a starting point. you would basically have to cycle your tank all over again. if you do have a problem it is better to do 30% water changes every two to three times a week. that way you are not removing so much of the bacteria and at the same time enough toxins to help bring them down. the bacteria will also help to remove the toxins also. the bacteria "feeds" on the nitrites. when you remove large amounts of bacteria the nitrites can get out of hand since you have decreased the amount of bacteria to remove the nitrites.

there is a product on the market called nitrazorb, which is supposed to remove the nitrites from the water. some of the members have used it with success.

do you have aeration in the tank? are the sharks at the top gasping? if so, you may also need to step up the aeration in the tank. it does not add oxygen to the water but allows for gas exchange.

also have you tested the tap water? may have a problem with the tap water being higher than normal. i have learned that at times throughout the year, the pipes are flushed and this can cause the nitrites and nitrates to run higher.

maggie

 

[Angel Lady]

That is why I done the water changes was to try to get them down I didnt think to check my tab water I will do this in a minute but if that isnt the problem what can I do to take them down. I know you all see my name alot but I am learning I promise I wont bother you all muck longer.

 

[cichlidmaster]

fks&m,

Please do not feel like it is a bother. We are here to help in anyway we can.

You just keep asking all the questions you have and we will try to answer them as best we can.

I am not going to add anything to this discussion as the advice has been sound thus far.

CM

 

[Angel Lady]

fks&m,

Please do not feel like it is a bother. We are here to help in anyway we can.

You just keep asking all the questions you have and we will try to answer them as best we can.

I am not going to add anything to this discussion as the advice has been sound thus far.

CM

once again thanks for tell mr troy I dont know why that hurt my feelings so bad I guess it is because i am so crazy over my fish. Bact to the nitrites they was on 0 last nite when I checked them I think I have them lowered for the time being besides the 2 fish I was concerned about I moved them to the hostipal tank this morning thier mouths was white I hope I dont the right thing I put them in that tri sulfa also if anyone else can tell me any different please let me know.