big help with tank

B

bewleyj

Registered Member
Jan 10, 2006
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This is my first time here and we are having a big problem with our tank and need to get some questions answered so we can get this tank back on track. we have a 30 gallon tank that we have had running for over a year now. We use the 5 test quick dip strips. our nitrate is reading between 160 and 200. nitrite is .5 hardeness is 150 alkalinity is 40 and ph 6.2 and the water has a green tint to it. we have done a water change about every other day for the last two weeks and we have no change everything stays the same even the color. we our loosing about a fish a day. when we do water changes we use aquarium salt, start right and aquasafe and use a whisper power filter and the water is kept at about 78 degrees.
 
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I'd get the liquid test kits - they are a lot more accurate and IMO easier to read.

If the nitrate readings are indeed that high (and not reported wrong by the test strips) and you did all these waterchanges i'd test the tap water too. Maybe nitrate in it is so high that you cant bring it down in the tank even with changes.

What was your waterchange schedule before the problems started ?
 
In the United States the EPA limit for Nitrates is 40. Is there any reason to be adding aquarium salt with water changes? If you went through 5 test kits with the same result, it is probably true. Start doing some larger waterchanges like 50% every day until this gets under control. Good luck.
 
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