Hi Nitrates in new tank, is CO2 reason?

[Stefanie O'Dell]

I started 2 tanks at once about 2 weeks apart.
New tank is 32 biocube. I have a large Anubis and driftwood and running CO2. All natural gravel substrate recycled from 5 years ago.
3 fish living in it as I used 75% of the old water when I changed out tanks.
Having a really hard time keeping it free of debris and with the driftwood I’m getting a lot of tannins. (I’m ok with that). Tested water today and results are;
PH 6.7
Hi range ph 7.3
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 50 ppm !! Wow
Did a 25% water change and gravel vacuum and rechecked 1 hr later and Nitrites down to 30ppm. Better but still want it lower
I’m wondering if having the CO2 in this tank is causing the hi Nitrates??
I also may have had too much filter media in filter. I removed the filter floss and just have the sponges and a charcoal pad in the stacked container and below all that I have bio ball ceramics in a mesh bag. So question is, why are Nitrates SO High?

 

[fishorama]

No, nitrates are not high due to co2 or any filter media. Have you checked your tap water for nitrate? Some places have them.

Are you using ferts at all? Did you add ammonia to help cycle the tank? My best guess is too much food & not enough vacuuming or water changing.

 

[Stefanie O'Dell]

If I didn’t have the other tank to compare the chemical results I’d agree w tap water but the other tank is perfect except the ph is a bit low.
The substrate in each tank is very different this one has natural pea gravel the other has black flourite. This one has an inside filter and I’m thinking I had too much floss in it and was not getting very good flow.
And you’re prolly right about not enough water changes. So until the tank balances out I will do 20% water changes every few days.
Thank you for your input.

 

[OrionGirl]

Importing the old water imported nitrates. Seldom reason to do that--the beneficial bacteria and microfauna aren't free swimming. Also, how was the gravel cleaned? I've usually found that no mater how much you rinse it, there's still a lot of mulm that starts breaking down when re-used.

 

[Stefanie O'Dell]

I cleaned it by swishing it years ago and let it dry in the sun and it’s been put away until now. I have to agree the stuff is just breaking down again and I may have over fed. I added cycle to tank this morning to help it.

 

[OrionGirl]

Cycle isn't really helpful. I've yet to see a single case study of it adding any of the beneficial microbes. Better saving your money or getting the filter mulm from a healthy tank.

 

[the loach]

There are indeed products which contain bacteria that will convert ammonia in nitrite, and nitrite into nitrate. But there isn't a bacterial product which will remove nitrate.

Nitrates will have to be reduced by plants, or water changes. You are using CO2 but it is doing nothing for Anubias. They are too slow growing. It is just lowering the pH.
You will need fast(er) growing plants to make use of the CO2 and reduce nitrates.
Also CO2 intake of plants is related to the amount of light, if you have less as 1 watt per gallon it isn't doing much.

 

[Stefanie O'Dell]

There are indeed products which contain bacteria that will convert ammonia in nitrite, and nitrite into nitrate. But there isn't a bacterial product which will remove nitrate.

Nitrates will have to be reduced by plants, or water changes. You are using CO2 but it is doing nothing for Anubias. They are too slow growing. It is just lowering the pH.
You will need fast(er) growing plants to make use of the CO2 and reduce nitrates.
Also CO2 intake of plants is related to the amount of light, if you have less as 1 watt per gallon it isn't doing much.

 

[Stefanie O'Dell]

Funny you say that about lighting. I figured the same thing so ordered a finnex plants +. Should be here in 2 days. I hope it helps with my plants that are struggling.
I took the CO2 away from the aquarium that has the anubis last week, and it’s doing well.

 

[the loach]

I have anubias in a lot of tanks and even grow them emersed. It's not a real aquatic plant though it can be used as one. Such slow growing plants use very little nutrients.
The fixture will help but note that it depends on the species: a lot of aquatic plants need more light than can be accomplished by t8 fluorescents or led strips.