Nitrate poisoning...

[Baldrick]

I was wondering what effects very high nitrates will have on my fish.

I posted the specifics last week, but I started a new thread for this specific question.

My nitrates were very high, even with water changes every two weeks. The level hit at least 80 - probably higher.

My question is, can the effects of high nitrates permanently harm my fish or will they recover.

The nitrate level is at around 20 now after a few water changes, but the Corys seem a bit lethargic and the rest just aren't acting right (I can't put my finger on how).

Thanks.

 

[Marinemom]

If the nitrates stay very high for an extended period of time, then it can stunt the growth of your fish. Also if it is too high, it makes the living conditions of the fish very difficult.

Marinemom

 

[jmulrich2006]

Well I learned the hard way with Nitrates!

Nitrates can permanently damage your fish. It can do usually two things. Either it will shorten there lifespan so a fish that might live 5 years maybe will only live 3 or It can actually poisen your fish (like it did to mine :sad: ) I had extreamly high Nitrate levels like you said about and my fish got poisened by it and I lost all 6 fish in a matter of 1 hour. The best thing to do is a massive water change, and do them often until the nitrate level decreases. I've been told sometimes you can't get it to go down but my suggestion is try doing a water change 2 or 3 times a day until the level lowers.