NitrAtes Too High...

[LongNY]

My water qualities are just great .....except that my nitrAtes are 80-120. How can I lower my NitrAtes?.... Water Changes? I have a medication free tank except for using de-chlorinator and would like to keep it that way... any advice would be great.... John NYC

 

[mellowserra]

Have you checked also your ammonia and nitrite?

Water changes will help to lower the nitrate readings. If you are able, add some live plants to the tank, they use the nitrates in the water.

EDIT: Also, have you checked the nitrate readings straight from the tap? Sometimes that can be the cause as well, and if case being, it won't help to do extra water changes, unless you are adding RO water

 

[LongNY]

Thanks for the information.... my ammonia is 0, NitrItes is 0, Ph is 6.5. It is only the NitrAtes that are high.... Yes, I do have live plants in the tank already..... I just did a 25% water change and will test the water in 24 hours.... Any more advice would be welcomed.... John NYC

EDIT: I will also check my tap water again....although when I first set up my tank for cycling the NitrAte reading was 0..... but that was about a year ago....thanks

Have you checked also your ammonia and nitrite?

Water changes will help to lower the nitrate readings. If you are able, add some live plants to the tank, they use the nitrates in the water.

EDIT: Also, have you checked the nitrate readings straight from the tap? Sometimes that can be the cause as well, and if case being, it won't help to do extra water changes, unless you are adding RO water

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[Bloo]

If your tap water has a zero NitrAte, you either have a way heavily stocked tank or you are not doing enough / often enough water changes.

On a normal stocked tank, you should do approx 30% weekly and heavily stocked you should do 25% twice weekly.

And check the efficiency of your filter

 

[ncjharris]

That is excessivley high. I would be very suprised if they are that high from your tap, cos I think thats bordering on safe legal limits.

Have you had any deaths in your tank recently? Not just fish but plants?

 

[LongNY]

My filtering is fine..... I did go away for 2 weeks. I had a friend feed the fish, but left the maintenance for when I got back, so that may be part of the problem... My tank is understocked, live plants are fine..... Everything else is just great. I did lose a redtail shark, but he was failing for some time....

But thanks,.... I'll definitely do water changes twice weekly and monitor all of my water qualities.... and hopefully that will work.

John NYC

 

[Bloo]

Just one other thing - are you sure you nitrate test is not older than 6 months ? I believe they become fairly inaccurate over that age.
Also, I presume this is a liquid test you are talking about ?

 

[LongNY]

I've done two 25% water changes since Saturday....and my NitrAtes are still too high.... I am using a liquid test.... I have never heard of the kit expiring after 6 months.... but maybe that's the case..... I'll get a new kit and test both kits simultaneously. All other water qualities are perfect.... John NYC

Just one other thing - are you sure you nitrate test is not older than 6 months ? I believe they become fairly inaccurate over that age.
Also, I presume this is a liquid test you are talking about ?

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