Inherited tank, high nitrates

[Darrin]

I was given a 55 gallon aquarium Saturday. I moved the aquarium across town, about 20 minutes, saved eight gallons of the old water and filled the tank back up with treated tap water. I used the the old gravel, so I think I have good bacteria already in place. Nitrites have remained at zero, but the Nitrates are high, 70 ppm.

The tank was very dirty. I have done 20 percent water changes Sunday and Monday, and a 40 percent change tonight. I siphoned the gravel each time, which was so bad the waste bucket a very dark muddy brown.

The nitrates are dangerously high, correct? The tank came with a 10 inch pleco, which I really don't like, he's constantly leaving waste everywhere.

Is the solution to get the nitrates down to keep doing water changes daily? I have been buying distilled water because my tap water has 20 ppm of nitrates. I did a partial filter change tonight. Was that a mistake?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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[Daudzegier]

Ya that was a mistake... you are right about doing the water changes, but you should not buy distilled water. There are no trace elements in distilled water. It is just that H20.... nothing else. In spring water there are salts and minerals that make it naturaly healthy to fish, and add electrolytes to the water that are crucial to the survival of life. Its like how are atmosphtere is half nitrogen, on quater oxegen, and one quater hydrogen... and 1% a bunch of other stuff. That pleco is gonna get bigger and bigger. Common plecos get up to be about 16-18 inches. I would try to get rid of it if you can. They are very messy fish that will outgrow your tank. You might be able to trade him in for some cooler fish. Nitrates that high can be enough to make your fish sick, but realy, as long as you are doing frequent wate changes and you dont see any amonia and nitrite i wouldnt worry about it too much. Keep up with those water changes, but use spring water, and get rid of the pleco.

[Rbishop]

Forget the distilled and spring water. Use your tap water.

Do water changes keeping zero ammonis and zero nirtites. You base for nitrates will be the 20 from the tap. Adjust water change schedule to hold nitrates at 30 or less.

If it is a common pleco, get rid of it. But not until you have the tank parameters in check and put some other fish in when you remove the pleco.

[Reddog80p]

I totally agree with Rbishop, This would be the best possible solution. Remember not to get rid of the pleco until you can add other fish.

[lwooters]

That pleco is so hardy at this point, he's going to help you out. Believe it or not, they are good for something, cycling a tank!

[Reddog80p]

Plecos are great fish not only do they help keep tanks cleaner, but some are also visually appealing!