Tap water has Nitrates

O

ozgood

AC Members
Jul 11, 2007
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Northern Virginia
There's a fine "How do you do!".

I finished cycling, did a 50% water change, and didn't check the nitrates after the water change. :duh: I know, I know, I'm an idiot.

I purchased my fish and added them to the tank Saturday morning. Sunday night I discovered that my Nitrates were near the 160 mark. :rofl: Ammonia and Nitrite were zippie (that is, zero).

So, I changed 15 gallons of water (75 gallon tank with about 63 gallons of water in it. Rock decorations take up the rest). Anyway, after the water change I tested again and the nitrates read 80. I plan on doing another 15 gallon change either tomorrow or the next day. When I changed the water I also dumped the water in the filter and squeezed the sponges in the old water. Didn't touch the other filter media.

I checked my source water (tap water that I use Prime to condition) and found that it's clearly 5ppm. Is this normal? Is my only option to get a RO water purifier? Just looking for a little assistance on what to do. Should I just ignore it and do weekly water changes (murder if I'm chaning 15 gallons every time).

A little about the tank. It's a Cichlid with 15 1 to 2 inch fish. I have an Eheim 22215.

Anyway, what do you all think?
 
I normally have around 5ppm nitrates in my town tap water. Nitrates run a little higher for me in during spring and early summer when crop fertilizers are leaching in to the water supply. I do more frequent water changes in spring and summer. I think the general rule of thumb is to keep nitrates below 40ppm, but personally I wouldn't let them get that high for my fish. My nitrates may climb to 20 in the spring/summer and I immediately to a half tank water change.

Debbi:)
 
Doesn't prime neutralize nitrates?
 
That seems like a HUGE short term swing. Did you pour the water you got with the fish into the tank?

Prime detoxifies Nitrate, but with that type of jump the 5 ppm in your tap isn't the problem. I'd say do 50% changes (if not bigger) once to twice a day until NO3 is < 20 ppm.
 
you don't have to worry about the tap water nitrates at this time. just realize that it'll be higher because of it. larger water changes will help reduce them more, 40-50%. you may want to contact the water company and see *why* there are nitrates in the water. at low levels they are okay, but at higher levels they can become dangerous to humans and other animals that drink the water. might give you a problem with algae too.
 
I think Prime detoxifies ammonia.

How did you "cycle" the tank and how long did it take?

What kind of a test kit are you using?
 
Regarding the nitrates, my tap is frequently at 20.
 
prime also detoxifies nitrate

anyways, it's not a horrible thign, it just means you're going to have to be vigilant with the weekly water changes. and also avoid overstocking.

I would consider giving the water company a call though.
 
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