NO3 problem

[andywatkins]

Hi all,

Had a tropical fish tank now for about 6 months. Had a few start up problems, lost a couple but basically it all settled down as my wife and I got the hang of it.

Noticed last night some of the fish weren't happy, so did a water change, filter clean and water test today. I have found the problem but wanted a little advice on anything I should do to fix.

NO3 levels were up about 100 thingies, this is the first time this has ever happened which surprised me. Cleaned the fluval 3 filter, which has 2 foamy filters on the side with a kind of fabricy filter sandwiched in the middle. Yours truly had accidentally replaced the middle filter with the same foamy ones as the outside a couple of weeks ago.

I don't know what each of the bits of the filter does but am prepared to put money on it that the middle fleecy bit kept down NO3 levels!

I have of course done all the usual good things now including putting the correct filter back in the pump. My guess is give them a few dys and everyone will be happy again. Am I right or do I need to do anything else?

Andy

 

[WILDER]

The middle bit should be floss, which you rinse in old tank water once a week,do a few daily water changes that should fetch your nitrates down, what is your tap water in nitrate.