Is there anything else that creates nitrates? I thought it was an output of nitrites which are an output of ammonia which are an output of waste, therefore if you control the waste through trickledown eventually you would control the nitrates. I would suggest maybe a fast of two days with water changes and then back off on the feeding, we all overfeed. Not only the left over food decaying creates ammonia but the more they eat the more they gotta go!
Fish Dying, Help!
- Thread starter dcallen
- Start date
There could be nitrates in your tap water already.
As long there are no nitrites in your tank, there’s nothing to worry about
Nitrate NO3 will become toxic again when it releases oxygen. NO3 minus O makes NO2
This will happen (among other things) when there’s a shortage of oxygen in the water.
It’s not really a problem when the nitrates are like 10, 20 or even 30 ppm
The bacteria in your tank are supposed to handle that.
But try to imagine what would happen if 60 or 100 ppm nitrates releases oxygen.
You would have a sudden increase of nitrites on your hand and then the spiral starts.
From nitrite to nitrate, to nitrite, to nitrate again and so on, and so on.
I am aware of the fact that fish can handle very high concentrates of nitrate, perhaps even up to 400 ppm for a short period of time but if something goes wrong…..
Jimmy
As long there are no nitrites in your tank, there’s nothing to worry about
Nitrate NO3 will become toxic again when it releases oxygen. NO3 minus O makes NO2
This will happen (among other things) when there’s a shortage of oxygen in the water.
It’s not really a problem when the nitrates are like 10, 20 or even 30 ppm
The bacteria in your tank are supposed to handle that.
But try to imagine what would happen if 60 or 100 ppm nitrates releases oxygen.
You would have a sudden increase of nitrites on your hand and then the spiral starts.
From nitrite to nitrate, to nitrite, to nitrate again and so on, and so on.
I am aware of the fact that fish can handle very high concentrates of nitrate, perhaps even up to 400 ppm for a short period of time but if something goes wrong…..
Jimmy
Why would it release the oxygen, what is the stimulus? Other than shortage of oxygen (water to warm, other reasons?)
What would cause a shortage of oxygen in the tank? Overstocking? Thanks for the info jimbo.
What would cause a shortage of oxygen in the tank? Overstocking? Thanks for the info jimbo.
A combination of poor aeration and high temperatures will result in a shortage of oxygen.
But also overstocking your tank will help.
I’m not sure on how or what triggers nitrate to release oxygen.
But I promise you to post it when I have found it back in one of my books.
But also overstocking your tank will help.
I’m not sure on how or what triggers nitrate to release oxygen.
But I promise you to post it when I have found it back in one of my books.
dcallen
To me, it sounds like you have parasites. Based on the fact that the fish are hiding and from your observations. I do not think the problem will go away on its own though.
If you cut back on the feeding, then the nitrates will go down. Unless you already have them in your tap water to begin with. Check carefully because you might have a dead fish in the tank.
There are some parasites that you can cure with salt and slightly elevated temperatures. There is also a correct procedure for adding salt to the tank. You also have to know exactly how much water is in your tank. Some fish cannot tolerate a lot of salt. It's been a long time, but I think first you add one teaspoon per gallon for the first day. Elevate the temperature to 80F. The next day, add another teaspoon. And if there are no problems, add another teaspoon the third day. The problem, ofcourse, is that your fish might go downhill by then. And some parasites cannot be cured this way. Your best bet is to use a wide-spectrum anti-parasitic that is powerful enough for bigger parasites like fluke, anchor worms, and leeches.
My choice would be something like Paragon.
By the way, I was pulling for the Mavericks.
To me, it sounds like you have parasites. Based on the fact that the fish are hiding and from your observations. I do not think the problem will go away on its own though.
If you cut back on the feeding, then the nitrates will go down. Unless you already have them in your tap water to begin with. Check carefully because you might have a dead fish in the tank.
There are some parasites that you can cure with salt and slightly elevated temperatures. There is also a correct procedure for adding salt to the tank. You also have to know exactly how much water is in your tank. Some fish cannot tolerate a lot of salt. It's been a long time, but I think first you add one teaspoon per gallon for the first day. Elevate the temperature to 80F. The next day, add another teaspoon. And if there are no problems, add another teaspoon the third day. The problem, ofcourse, is that your fish might go downhill by then. And some parasites cannot be cured this way. Your best bet is to use a wide-spectrum anti-parasitic that is powerful enough for bigger parasites like fluke, anchor worms, and leeches.
My choice would be something like Paragon.
By the way, I was pulling for the Mavericks.
Pulling for the Mavericks eh' Cloud? I like them too but not as much as the Spurs, they have been my team for many years.
Update:
Ok, I added the power head for flow which seems to have helped and I also added about 7 tablespoons of salt to the tank yesterday and man what a difference 24 hours made. The fish are eating well and swimming at the front of the tank and not hiding nearly as much as they were, and they are breathing normally. It seems like the meds, salt, and power head have helped quite a bit. I also added some meds from Aquatronics I have treated twice now, the instructions call for one more treatment, would this be a good idea or should I hold off? The fish are noticeably better now and I don't want to over medicate the tank.
Also, how long should I wait before adding a couple of fish?
Thanks so much for helping me out during a difficult time.
Update:
Ok, I added the power head for flow which seems to have helped and I also added about 7 tablespoons of salt to the tank yesterday and man what a difference 24 hours made. The fish are eating well and swimming at the front of the tank and not hiding nearly as much as they were, and they are breathing normally. It seems like the meds, salt, and power head have helped quite a bit. I also added some meds from Aquatronics I have treated twice now, the instructions call for one more treatment, would this be a good idea or should I hold off? The fish are noticeably better now and I don't want to over medicate the tank.
Also, how long should I wait before adding a couple of fish?
Thanks so much for helping me out during a difficult time.
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Nitrates at 20ppm are not bad at all. Nitrates have to go over 100ppm for a sustained period of time before you will get any problems. AFAIK there is no evidence that nitrates below this level causes problems. But if you have the evidence I would very much like to see it.
Nitrate turning into nitrite! 60ppm of nitrate causing death within days! Wheres the evidence for this? I've never heard of this in over 20 years of keeping fish.
David
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Sorry, I guess you’re right.
This should be; When the nitrate is 60 ppm, and there’s a shortage of oxygen, it will become toxic (nitrite again)
There are bacteria (most of them) that need oxygen. When there’s a shortage in the water, they will take it from the nitrates and this way you’ll be left with nitrite again.
With 20 or 30 ppm the same happens only the tragedy (concentration nitrites) won’t be that big as most bacteria will not be able to take oxygen from the nitrates (cause there aren’t enough) and die. Besides poor surface-water movement and poor filtration, overfeeding and overstocking is the biggest culprit. More bacteria are needed, which use more oxygen. Still producing nitrites they take oxygen from the nitrates which will give even more nitrites. I don’t have any evidence, but I have read some posts in the past from hobbyists who had high nitrites in their tank but practical no nitrates. Tanks which were running for more than a year. That’s when I start my search and found several articles concerning this topic in books and on the Internet.
Just google for nitrates/nitrites and I think you will find some articles in the English language.
Jimmy
This should be; When the nitrate is 60 ppm, and there’s a shortage of oxygen, it will become toxic (nitrite again)
There are bacteria (most of them) that need oxygen. When there’s a shortage in the water, they will take it from the nitrates and this way you’ll be left with nitrite again.
With 20 or 30 ppm the same happens only the tragedy (concentration nitrites) won’t be that big as most bacteria will not be able to take oxygen from the nitrates (cause there aren’t enough) and die. Besides poor surface-water movement and poor filtration, overfeeding and overstocking is the biggest culprit. More bacteria are needed, which use more oxygen. Still producing nitrites they take oxygen from the nitrates which will give even more nitrites. I don’t have any evidence, but I have read some posts in the past from hobbyists who had high nitrites in their tank but practical no nitrates. Tanks which were running for more than a year. That’s when I start my search and found several articles concerning this topic in books and on the Internet.
Just google for nitrates/nitrites and I think you will find some articles in the English language.
Jimmy
I would medicate for as long as the direction on the bottle say. Kinda like if you had an infection but the doc gives you medicine and you feel better but you are supposed to take the prescription till it runs out.
I wouldn't add fish for at least a month.
I wouldn't add fish for at least a month.
