unclenedsfishfactory.com

Fish-related discussions

High Nitrate Levels

Moderators: Admin, Uncle Ned, ruthe, Sam
Post Reply   Page 1 of 1  [ 4 posts ]
Author Message
Brendan
Post subject: High Nitrate Levels
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:03 pm
Offline
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:49 pm
 
My tank has had high nitrate levels for the last few weeks. I've done just about everything I can think of, but they wont go down. I've done multiple 30-40% water changes, thoroughly vaccuumed the gravel at the bottom, used Amquel and started using plants. I've had high levels in the past, but they would usually go away after a water change or two. Normally I would continue to use the Amquel, but the last time the fish became very stressed. The other odd thing about this is that the nitrite levels are very low. I've noticed that either they will both be elevated or neither will be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. And just in case it helps, it's a cichlid tank.

Thanks,
Brendan


Top
Profile Quote
Admin
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:51 am
Site Admin
Offline
 
Posts: 11354
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2004 12:16 pm
Location: Millis MA
Contact: Website
 
if the fish are okay
don't worry about it

nitAte is only toxic in incredibly high amounts, more than 400 parts per million...at least for most freshwater fish
(it is the by-product of a working filter)

you should always have zero NitrIte in any established tank
NitrIte is toxic above about 3 parts per million
...you sometimes get high NitrIte in newly set up tanks,
or if you over clean your filter

_________________

Ned
unclenedsfishfactory@gmail.com
508 533 5969
>>={{{{{{{{{{{{{{(°/)


Top
Profile Quote
Brendan
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:28 pm
Offline
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:49 pm
 
Thanks Ned. The only reason that I'm concerned is that a few of them (maybe a third) frequently stay that the top of the tank and almost all of them seen to be breathing heavy.


Top
Profile Quote
Admin
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:19 am
Site Admin
Offline
 
Posts: 11354
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2004 12:16 pm
Location: Millis MA
Contact: Website
 
that is wierd

try adding a second filter system
or air pump

bring in 8 oz of your tank water
and
4 oz of your tap water and we'll test it again here

_________________

Ned
unclenedsfishfactory@gmail.com
508 533 5969
>>={{{{{{{{{{{{{{(°/)


Top
Profile Quote
Display: Sort by: Direction:
Post Reply   Page 1 of 1  [ 4 posts ]
Return to “Care and feeding questions”
Jump to: