Nitrate / Filter Question

**1boatnut** · 03-23-2007, 9:41 PM

I have an Emperor 400 filter. It uses 2 filters,2 seperate media containers and 2 bio wheels.
Today I did a 50 % water change.
After the change my Nitrate reading was 20.

Isn't that high for a fresh water change ? Could I have some sort of filtration problem?

**gali** · 03-23-2007, 11:00 PM

What was it before the water change? If it was high, then 20 after is definitely possible.
It depends on the size of the tank, the fish you keep and the frequency of water changes.
Your filter does not remove nitrate from the water, water changes do.

**mostlycichlids** · 03-24-2007, 12:10 AM

gali is right on I will add that some tap water sources have Nitrates as well. You may want to check the tap water for Nitrates as well!!

**Mgamer20o0** · 03-24-2007, 12:57 AM

both could be right. i have heard of 20ppm nitrate coming out of the tap. it could be your tap water or the tank had a high hitrate level. start testing away....

**Rbishop** · 03-24-2007, 5:39 AM

as above, tank size, fish, tap readings, other parameters...

Has this tank been well established for a while? How often have you been doing gravel vacs/water changes?

**1boatnut** · 03-24-2007, 7:14 AM

Originally Posted by rbishop

as above, tank size, fish, tap readings, other parameters...

Has this tank been well established for a while? How often have you been doing gravel vacs/water changes?

Thanks all :
Tank is a 55 gallon
My water parameters are as follows:

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0

PH = 7.8-8.0
NitrAte = 20

Tap water parameters:
PH = 7.8
NitrAte = 0

I usually do a 25% water change every week along with a gravel vac
( as best as possible without removing my decorations)

I added 3 Discus a couple of weeks ago. I did a 25 % water change Friday,about a 10 % change Tuesday and 50 % change on this Friday.
Usually my NitrAte would be around 30 - 40 after waiting 1 week between water changes.

Also yesterday when I did my 50 % change I tore up my entire tank,and in some areas where decorations were,the substrate was pretty dirty,at least when I started stirring it up with my hands.

Anyone have knowledge of a decent gravel vac that does NOT remove water?
I am going out today to purchase a python,but would love a vac to use between water changes.

Sorry for the long post

P.S I do have 33 fish in this tank, but 70% are very small.
Harlequin Rasboras
Danios
Cory Cats
Assorted platys
4- Black Skirt Tetras..the bigest fish next to my Discus

**snickle** · 03-24-2007, 7:48 AM

Since water changes are how you have to remove nitrates I would say that you nitrate level was 40 before the change.

Distrubing the substrate may have relase some addiotnal nitrate into the water.

Try testing prior to a water change and right after. The numbers should shift by the anount of water you change.

**mostlycichlids** · 03-24-2007, 3:07 PM

Dont be sorry for asking questions that is why we are here. Also I would start doing 50% weekly water changes. Also it sounds like your stock level is making it hard for you filters to keep up. You may need to add more filteration to keep up.

**Rbishop** · 03-24-2007, 3:49 PM

If those discus are juvies, I'd be doing 50% every other day.

I use a Mag 350 with floss and charcoal for my gravel vac. The gravel vac tube is on the suction line (inlet to filter), and the return just clips on the tank.

**Star_Rider** · 03-24-2007, 5:15 PM

Originally Posted by rbishop

If those discus are juvies, I'd be doing 50% every other day.

I use a Mag 350 with floss and charcoal for my gravel vac. The gravel vac tube is on the suction line (inlet to filter), and the return just clips on the tank.

DITTO