Help. Nitrate through the roof

[Lorazoo]

I have been setting up a planted 125 aquarium. I had a 55 before that which I now know I wasn't taking care of properly. I have learned alot about water quality recently and was testing my 125, which is fine. I decided to test my 55 which has about 10 fish in it which i want to move into the 125 next week as it is ready for fish.

Anyway, I tested the 55 and here goes:
pH 6.0
kH <1 degree
Nitrate, not sure exactly, but very red, >40ppm
Nitrite 0

So, of course I freaked out and cleaned the tank, did a 50% water change and changed the filters (which were very dirty even though I just cleaned this 2 weeks ago). I also added Calcium carbonate where I usually have carbon since you said carbon is useless and I figure the calcium carbonate might help with the pH and kH.

Anyway, any other recomendations?

I want to get this tank into shape so I can switch these fish over and use it for an iso tank.

I feel so bad for letting it get this way, but at least I can fix it now.

 

[dorkfish]

well, if your test results came before the water change, they should be at about 20 now, safe for almost all fish.

 

[budrecki]

Test the nitrates again and post the number.

What are the 10 fish and what size are they?

 

[Lorazoo]

I will test the water when I get home tonight. I have 5 SAE's. 1 Angelfish. 1 Bumblebee catfish and 1 little cherry barb and 1 otto cat. I want to move everything but the angelfish and the bumblebee cat into the big tank. I have to find a home for the other 2 or I am looking at getting a 20 gal, b/c I do not think my 10 would be big enough for them.

 

[Star_Rider]

check your nitrates out of the water source too.

Mine has about 10-20 ppm out of the tap.

 

[Lorazoo]

OK, just measured agai, doing a little better.

pH 6.5
dKh 2
Nitrates 15-20ppm
Ammonia 0.25

At least the nitrates have gone down and the pH is going up. I will do another 25% water change and keep going until things come back around.

My water from the tap has no nitrates in it, wish it did. Might help my 125 with the algae.

I guess this is what happens whehn you dont do water changes frequently (for those newbies like me)

 

[Lorazoo]

Just a note of good news. As I was finishing up my water change tonight my Angel Fish is laying eggs. She hasn't done that in forever. I guess she likes the changes.