question on DIY CO2

[flyfly]

would my DIY CO2 be causing my repeatedly over-high nitrate count? I have been doing like 20% water changes for the last four days!

 

[Karnaaj]

Shouldn't have anything to do with it at all. 20% water changes are pretty small, you'd be better off going with 50%.

 

[Kasakato]

High nitrates in a planted tank?!?! Theres something wrong. How many plants do you have? How are you stocked? Could the nitrates be comming from the tap water?

 

[flyfly]

I have four plants in my 55g so far (I am just starting to convert to a planted tank). I will check to see if the nitrates are from my new water.

 

[flyfly]

no, the nitrates from my tap are zero... I suppose a larger water change is in order (time to buy more buckets!)

 

[benedictj]

Who lives in the tank and what kind of feeding schedule are you on?
Also, what's your lighting situation like and what kind of plants do you have? (If your plants don't have enough light they won't grow enough to consume nutrients).

 

[flyfly]

I wont have lights until I get paid next. I am what you would call a "starving student". Slow accumulation of aquarium goodies is really my only option. My tank is okay as far as amounts of fish and feeding schedule. All of my other parameters are perfect.

 

[benedictj]

Except the nitrates, obviously. I guess just keep up the water changes and see what happens when your lights arrive.