Cleaning a very filthy tank

S

shockwave191

AC Members
Aug 24, 2006
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I need help. This tank has been a nightmare but, the postive side of this is I'm learning a lot.

My tank completed a fishless cycle. Ammonia 0, NitrIte 0, NitrAte 40-80 after a 50% water change. Those of you with experience know that the nitrAte is too high even after the 50% water change. I believe the cause is a very filthy tank. I literally have larva, amoeba type bugs, and just a bunch of tiny particals clinging to the side of my tank. HOW DO I CLEAN THIS MESS UP? I have vaccuumed the tank (once). I have cleaned the filter pad and I have turkey basered up (sucked up) the bugs as best I can. What other measures can I take to clean this tank up?

Thanks
 
More water changes even if you do them back to back so you can get the nitrates down.

Marinemom
 
I agree, more water changes until your nitrates are less than 20ppm. I would recommend in the future keeping your nitrates at 10ppm and doing a water change when they hit around 20ppm.
Sorry i don't know what the bugs are, any chance of getting a pic of them?
 
i would drain the tank...bleach it out then start again...since there are no fish in it it is best to start fresh then to have to do sonething drastic later
 
How many gallons is this tank? Is there gravel on the bottom?
 
Also, check your ammonia/nitrate levels in your tap water to make sure thats not adding to the problem instead of helping.
 
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