Question Re. Nitrate level

[Fish beginner]

Right some back round info, I have a coldwater set up consisting of one goldfish (not fancy) did have three which has been going for approx 6 weeks. Have been taking weekly readings. Have noted a huge increase in the nitrate level, from 20 to 100+ in a week. What is the best way to proceed, have been doing a 20% water change fortnightly. Nitrite and Ammonia levels are 0, also is a PH of 7.6 acceptable?.


Thanks, Lee.

 

[Fish beginner]

I have live plants in the tank, thought this would help lower the nitrate level but reading is of the chart.

 

[black angel]

You will need to do more frequent water changes to bring the nitrate level down. Once a fortnight isnt enough, i suggest for the time being to do 50% today and then 30% for the next few days and then re test the water and see what that comes back as.
If its still not low enough then continue the 30% for a while longer until you get back down to where they should be. When they are at a more manageable level, do water changes of 30% twice a week and see how that goes.

 

[Fish beginner]

So high Nitrate levels are a problem?, my LFS told me not to worry . Have tested the water in it's raw state, straight from the tape - reading of 25. Can I add chemicals to the water to lower the nitrate?.
My main worry was/is changing so much of the water so frequently will have an affect on the Ammonia/Nitrite readings. By removing benefical (sp) bacteria from the gravel and filter medium.

 

[black angel]

To me any reading over 40 is too high. Fish can get stressed at high nitrate levels and stress leads to disease.
Dont add anything to try and lower it and anyway your tank should have fully cycled by now anyway so theres no need to worry about taking away any beneficial bacteria.
Do more frequent water changes and rinse out your filter once a week or when really dirty in use tank water.

 

[Fish beginner]

Thanks for the reply, what's your views on the strip testers?. How accurate are they?. Do you use them?

 

[black angel]

I use the esha strips myself and never had any problems with them.
I bought those dropper tests as well and found them fiddly and took ages to get readings.
The strips have everything on them bar the ammonia and for me no matter what anyone else says about them i wont use anything else.

 

[bribones]

my LFS told me not to worry

yup more sound advice

i use the test strips all the time ,if your a bit pushed for cash cut em in half down the length and get twice as many

 

[black angel]

I never thought of cutting them in half, great tip there Bri.