Nitrate & Fish Health Issues

[Ninjouzata]

Yes I do vacuum the substrate, some of my tanks are planted and some are not.

 

[Byron]

I would be very concerned with the result of that latest nitrate test.  Have you tested your source water (tap) for nitrate (just in case this is a partial source)?  I would do more major water changes to get the nitrate down; lessening nitrate is not going to impact fish negatively but benefit, just as lessening ammonia or nitrite are beneficial.  All three are poison, at differing levels as I previously explained, but still "poison" per say so the sooner they are gone (or lower) the better.  Last thought, is the test still accurate?  They do have a time expiry.

 

[Ninjouzata]

The tests I posted before were a lot higher so this was good IMO, showing that it's going down.
I posted the tap water results before but my tap has 5ppm nitrates in it. The kits are still in date so they should be accurate.
 
How often and how large of water changes do you suggest? I thought I asked this already but maybe I forgot

 

[Byron]

The tests I posted before were a lot higher so this was good IMO, showing that it's going down.
I posted the tap water results before but my tap has 5ppm nitrates in it. The kits are still in date so they should be accurate.
 
How often and how large of water changes do you suggest? I thought I asked this already but maybe I forgot

 
Normally a substantial water changes, say 70-75% of the tank, will lower the nitrates immediately.  Here we have 5ppm nitrate in the tap, so obviously that will impact things, but even so, attaining a level no higher than 20 ppm should not be difficult.  
 
Now, I just went back and took another look at the photo, and I am wondering if perhaps I am seeing it worse than it actually is.  Looking at it longer, there may be less red and more orange than I at first thought, so it is closer to say 40 ppm.  Do you think so, having it "live" before you?  Photos can distort colours.
 
Another change won't hurt, provided the pH is not shifting much.  One a day is certainly not a problem, but even two a day will not hurt.  Discus breeders may change 95% of the tank water in fry tanks three or four times a day.  The benefits of water changes really cannot be overstated.
 
Byron.

 

[Ninjouzata]

It is more orange than red, yes, although still pretty high. It could have been 40-80.
I can not really differentiate the shades of orange and red at all which is why I post pictures, although I know they are easily distorted that way.

 
I don't think I can manage two a day. I already do tanks on two seperate days due to the work involved and how easily stressed I get. I did the 55g, 29g, and 10g yesterday. Doing the 129g today.
My dad usually does the other 10g and 20g tank but his back is hurting a lot so I was going to do those tomorrow. I will try to do the ones I did yesterday again tomorrow and then the 129g again on thursday I suppose.

 

[Byron]

Sounds fine.  The main thing is, nitrate is coming down.  B.

 

[fluttermoth]

Don't clean the media in dechlorinated water. It can kill your beneficial bacteria. Just rinse in old tank water real well and put back in filter. Rate of rinsing the media will depend on how messy your fish are.

 
Sorry to interrupt the flow of the thread, but I just have to point out that this is incorrect. 
 
As long as the water is properly dechlorinated, there's no benefit in using tank water compared to dechlorinated tap water; it's the chlorine/chloramine that can damage bacterial colonies.
 
The reason we normally recommend using old tank water is simply that it saves wasting fresh, clean water when you usually clean filters when you're doing water changes, so you have water that will be going to waste anyway Or you can use it for your houseplants/garden etc

 

[Ninjouzata]

I just wanted to update this to let you guys know I was able to get the nitrates under control.
I'll definitely do better filter maintenance from now on, although I am re-homing most of the fish and taking down most of the tanks. Thanks a lot for the help

 

[Ch4rlie]

Thats what we're here for
 
 Whats your plans now regarding your tanks and fish?
 
Just bein' nosey

 

[Ninjouzata]

Thats what we're here for

 
 Whats your plans now regarding your tanks and fish?
 
Just bein' nosey

Working on getting down to just the 129g (which the ranchus and some other future goldies will go in), 10g on my desk with my betta, and my 40b with the flowerhorn, so 3 tanks.
The rest will be re-homed and hopefully we'll be able to sell the tanks as well (although re-homing the fish for free). Will keep the 29g the ranchus are in right now for QTing new goldies.
 
My dad is probably keeping the 20g flatback hex to put in the bathroom to do a harley davidson color theme with

So I may post about that to get more ideas on orange and black fish.

 

[Fishmanic]

what's Lucky's future look like?
 
good luck with sorting things out with your tanks and rehoming your fish

 

[Ninjouzata]

what's Lucky's future look like?
 
good luck with sorting things out with your tanks and rehoming your fish

I re-homed him as well. I should have asked you first, I'm sorry. The person who took him was incredibly nice and seemed knowledgeable
Thank you. They're all re-homed now, just have the tanks left to deal with.