Let There Be Light!

[wwpecker]

First, sorry, the answers to my Qs are probably on here, but I cant seem to find

I have high readings of Nitrate levels (usually 50 - 60?? ppm) before water change which I do every week (20%) - there seems to be high levels in my tap water... but the test kit I have API is difficult to get good reading..the colour card is difficult to read.. other stats are always same Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 PH 8 ...

I was advised to get some plants for tank to lower nitrate (all plants were plastic) so duly bought 3no from LFS - don't know what they are, just asked for "Easy ones"

Questions

Does anyone know of a accurate test kit for Nitrate ??

I have juwel vision 180 - two 25w tubes - daylight tube and "warmlite tube" how long do I leave lights on?? is there link to calculator to work this out??
Thanks in advance...

 

[archamfr]

no calculator needed- most people leave lights on for 8-12 hours.

is your tank cycled properly? could be a reason for high lvls

 

[wwpecker]

no calculator needed- most people leave lights on for 8-12 hours.

is your tank cycled properly? could be a reason for high lvls

Thanks "archamfr" for quick response, tank has been running since October... cycled with platies (did not know better...) I never get any other readings for ammoinia, nitrite than 0 so assume all is cycled,,,,

 

[mark.w.jones]

Your tank sounds cycled to me. High nitrates are usually caused by over feeding, not having any real plants, not gravel vaccing regularly enough or overstocking your tank. The nitrate test is the most difficult one to do in the API kit but with practise you will get better at comparing colours. Try holding testube infront of something white or looking thorugh 1 eye to compare. Ask for a 2nd opinion if you're not sure.

George Farmer the planted section mod and pfk writer suggests a mid day siesta for tank lighting. So 5 hours on, 2 off then 5 on again. There is some research suggesting that this can help somewhat with controlling algae growth.

What is your tap water nitrate reading?

Are you feeding a small portion of food once a day that gets completely eaten in a minute? If not then you may be feeding too much. Many members also don't feed their fish for at least one day a week allowing them to scavenge.

Can you post photos of your plants as LFS workers often no nothing about plants an it can be disheartening to watch them brown off and die if you didn't know any better. There is is pinned thread in my sig. about good beginners plants to get.

You may also want to consider a weekly gravel vac as this is good for getting rid of uneaten food.

 

[Dave Spencer]

If your nitrates are high you could try a 50% water change every week.

Dave.

 

[wwpecker]

Thanks for this, tap readings (as good as I can tell) show Nitrate between 10-20 ppm. I've had look at local water board data and apparently standard is anything below 50ppm! - and there is problems with high Nitrates in some parts of this area...

http/www.yorkshirewater.com/?OBH=3180

I do use a gravel vac weekly - but maybe I should be changing more than 25% ...

As for feeding,, well, I usually put a pinch in (wafers for plec) then watch, they eat quick, I am careful about seeing what hits the bottom without being eaten, but I admit I sometimes do this three times a day.... so I think this maybe part of the cause..... fish are now going on a diet...

Funny you should mention about plants going brown.. one is looking good, one OK and one is definitely dying.. I will try get some photos up..

Thanks again

 

[mark.w.jones]

Agreed. You are probably over feeding. Your plec will be fine with a wafer every other day + some boiled pea / courgette twice a week. Your other fish really only need a pinch a day that is completly consumed in about a minute but no more than this + as mentioned one day off. Reducing feeding + adding some good beginners plants will really help with your nitrate issue.