Mature Tank Problems!

[thad]

Hello all!!
 
I have a 150 liter tank with a few 5 corys, 2 platties, 3 tetras. I recently lost my betta and another platty. The tank has been established 2 years.
Tested with APi master test kit and found the following.
 
PH 7.6 ish, tap water is the same.
Nitrites 0
ammonia 0
nitrates 160+
 
I did a small water change yesterday and added enough prime to treat the whole tank. I am hoping the prime will make the nitrates less toxic!
 
What can I do to sort this out long term? I don't want to have to do 50% water changes every other day or keep adding prime to remove the toxicity!
 
Thanks in advance for your help

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Prime does nothing to detoxify nitrates.
 
 
Seems that you are in the midst of 'Old Tank Syndrome'.
 
You don't need to do 50% water changes daily... instead, you need to start with SMALL water changes far more frequently.
 
 
I'd suggest 20% twice a week for about two months... the key is that the fish need time to adapt to getting back to tap conditions.

 

[thad]

o.k thanks