Nitrates won't reduce

[gabrielgalhano]

Hi!

Recently I've noticed that the nitrates on my 120L tank were too high. I immediately made a water change of about 50% of the water and added sera toxivec. The next day I tested the water again and the nitrates were still high so made another water change (about 25% of the water) the day after. However the nitrates level is still high and I don't know what else I can do to dicrease it's levels. I have some anubias on my tank because I read that it can help in this situation, but I'm starting to get a little worried about this.

Can anyone help me?

 

[Byron]

First, let's sort out the source of the nitrates. Nitrates occurring within the tank is one thing (and this is fairly easy to resolve), but there could also be nitrates in the source water you add. Have you tested your source water for nitrates, and if yes, what was the result?

Also, always provide test numbers, as none of us know what "high" might mean to you compared to each of us.

 

[Colin_T]

Check the tap water for nitrates. If the tap water has 0 nitrates, then do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day until the level is 0ppm.

 

[gabrielgalhano]

First, let's sort out the source of the nitrates. Nitrates occurring within the tank is one thing (and this is fairly easy to resolve), but there could also be nitrates in the source water you add. Have you tested your source water for nitrates, and if yes, what was the result?

Also, always provide test numbers, as none of us know what "high" might mean to you compared to each of us.

I did test the tap water and it didn't have any nitrates. That's why it has been so frustrating.

Sorry I didn't mention the values. but it was abou 100mg/L according to the test strips.

Check the tap water for nitrates. If the tap water has 0 nitrates, then do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day until the level is 0ppm.

The tap water had indeed 0 nitrates. Thank you, Colin. I'm going to try the 75% water change along with the gravel clean of the substrate!

 

[Byron]

Yes, I concur with Colin. Going forward, regular (once a week should be adequate in the future) partial water changes, not overstocking, not overfeeding, keeping the filter well cleaned, and vacuuming the substrate...all of these help. Live plants can help, esp fast growers, not because they take up nitrates (they do not) but because they take up so much ammonia/ammonium and out-compete the bacteria, so nitrite and subsequently nitrate are much less.

 

[gabrielgalhano]

Yes, I concur with Colin. Going forward, regular (once a week should be adequate in the future) partial water changes, not overstocking, not overfeeding, keeping the filter well cleaned, and vacuuming the substrate...all of these help. Live plants can help, esp fast growers, not because they take up nitrates (they do not) but because they take up so much ammonia/ammonium and out-compete the bacteria, so nitrite and subsequently nitrate are much less.

Thank you for your help! I will follow what you said and hopefully al this situation will resolve!

 

[Sgooosh]

You should never rely on plants, but i have found floaters really soak up nitrates and stuff.

 

[gabrielgalhano]

You should never rely on plants, but i have found floaters really soak up nitrates and stuff.

Thats something to considerate, after I get to bring my nitrate levels to normal!

 

[Sgooosh]

Thats something to considerate, after I get to bring my nitrate levels to normal!

no they can help you do that
any plant will, actually
what plants do you currently have?

 

[gabrielgalhano]

no they can help you do that
any plant will, actually
what plants do you currently have?

Oh nice, didnt know that!
I only have Anubias

 

[Sgooosh]

Oh nice, didnt know that!
I only have Anubias

i think anubias is slow growing so it dosent soak much nurtients...
try a leaf feeder like elodea
some moss will work too!!!

 

[gabrielgalhano]

i think anubias is slow growing so it dosent soak much nurtients...
try a leaf feeder like elodea
some moss will work too!!!

I forgot, but i also have about 2 balls of moss (i dont know if thats how its called in english)

 

[Sgooosh]

I forgot, but i also have about 2 balls of moss (i dont know if thats how its called in english)

oh those are algae that are slow growing but im sure that can soak up some nitrates.
are they marimo?

 

[gabrielgalhano]

oh those are algae that are slow growing but im sure that can soak up some nitrates.
are they marimo?View attachment 140882

dont know exactly what they are, but they surely look like these pictures

 

[Sgooosh]

dont know exactly what they are, but they surely look like these pictures

oh ok
yeah those will help