Water Test

[Jam Jam]

Had a rise in nitrate when testing water before changing today,first time it's happened.
All my remaining fish are doing well and seem very happy,I had no idea I would have to change the water so much to keep the nitrites down lol I have kept testing water daily and changing ASAP when nitrites increased.ph and ammo have been zero for ages.nitrate was rising slow until today!

Ph 7
Ammo 0
Nitrate 60 plus
Nitrite .2/3

Changed 50 percent straight away

 

[Jam Jam]

Tested water todat and nitrate and nitrite high again,did a 50 percent change and gravel vac.
Checked filter and low and behold a dead fish caracas in the top ! Got to be the culprit ?
Fingers crossed it should settle down now

 

[mossonthemoon]

What was the actual nitrite reading? A 50% change may not have been enough. Don't worry so much about nitrate either, it's mainly nitrite and ammonia that should be watched.

 

[Jam Jam]

Hi mate the Nitrite was arond .3

I had no idea fish could get in the filter,i feel such a plank.This is my first tank and been a massive learing curve if it wasn't for the advice on here I would defo of killed the lot !

The fish seem very happy despite the high level but I will strive to get it to zero asap !

 

[mossonthemoon]

I understand, it is a big learning curve for everyone! For some reason people just tend to think fish get stuck in a tank, water gets cleaned, and that's it. People are always surprised at the prep work. If your nitrite was 0.3 and you did a 50% change, then it will still be at around 0.15, which is still high. I would do a much larger water change than that. If you do another 50% now it will go down to around 0.07, which is better. You want it at 0 of course, but I can't remember the number most people say you want to absolutely keep it below. If it is 0.1 like I remember, then even the further 50% is a bit too close for comfort. I would take out as much as possible whilst still allowing the fish to swim.

 

[Jam Jam]

I understand, it is a big learning curve for everyone! For some reason people just tend to think fish get stuck in a tank, water gets cleaned, and that's it. People are always surprised at the prep work. If your nitrite was 0.3 and you did a 50% change, then it will still be at around 0.15, which is still high. I would do a much larger water change than that. If you do another 50% now it will go down to around 0.07, which is better. You want it at 0 of course, but I can't remember the number most people say you want to absolutely keep it below. If it is 0.1 like I remember, then even the further 50% is a bit too close for comfort. I would take out as much as possible whilst still allowing the fish to swim.

Thankyou I will do a bigger water change,help appreciated

Another silly question when doing a water change can you retest it straight away or is it best to leave it to settle a while?

 

[mossonthemoon]

I personally like to leave it a little until I think the filter has circulated the water properly, in case I get a pocket of concentration (of the new or old water).

 

[Aquascaper]

I personally leave any testing until the water has been filtered at least once, ie. if you tank is 200l and your filter is 2000lph then I leave it 10 minutes or so. Don't know if there's any real reason but makes me feel better

 

[Jam Jam]

Cheers people I have been leaving it till next day.just wondered if you could do it sooner?
I can't wait till my nitrite settles ay zero,I may throw a party lol