aaaaagghhhh high nitrate!!!

G

gfunk101uk

AC Members
Oct 15, 2005
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crikey, i just checked my 30" tank, and the nitrate level has gone critical!!

what is the best way to lower the levels fast? i have done a 30% water change (i only have tapwater) but treated it before i put it, and it has made no visible difference at all.. what else can i do to help?
help please!!!!!!
giles :)
 
i havnt checked it for 4 weeks.. but its always been fine! maybe i have been over feeding a little, but every sunday i clean cartridge filters and change about 15-20 litresof water. i took it for granted that plain tapwater was ok... maybe it has made the difference?
 
i just tested water straight out of my tap.. its 60-80ppm, so that is one reason my water changes have not been helping, i will now treat ALL tapwater before putting it in my tank!

thanx for your fast response, and good luck with the fatherhood, my little girl is 18months now, she is beautiful, being a dad is the best feeling in the world, just you wait till they first start smiling.. :)
 
generally you have to always treat tap water to get rid of the chlorine at the very least. Real plants are a great way to lower the nitrate, and since its in your tap water, it might be something to consider looking into :)
 
yeah, i have lots of plants in my tank already (probably saved my fish) i knew i should really treat my tapwater.. but i thought that it would be ok if i just changed a bit every week I WAS WRONG- LESSON LEARNED!!!!!

just hope i can get my levels down ok, and dont lose any fish!

thanx guys:)
 
I used to just "top off" my tanks when the water would evaporate, and never add any dechlor. when I did. It never caused any problems, but it was not enough of a water change/addition to keep the tank healthy. I am suprised that you still have that high of nitrates if you have plants, sounds like you need to get on those water changes :) !! Most people would do at least 20% weekly minimum, but this also depends on various factors, alot of folks do 50% or more weekly
 
60-80ppm of nitrate stright from the tap? Are you sure the test kit you have isn't bad/expired? That seems really high for tap water!! I would take some tap into the fish store for a test and compair with your results. If that truely is the case, you may have to start buying spring water or something from the grocery store. You deffinatly don't want to keep using it for your water changes.
 
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