S
simm
Guest
Iv done a 20 gallon water change in a 100 gallon tank. but Iam still showing high nitrates. What is the best solution to getting it down? Even after my water change?
frankl15207
Member
Finding the source for starters. What type of water do you use?Are you overfeeding? How long has the tank been set up? Are you using a protein skimmer? Are you running any type of filter?
If so, what filter media are you using in it and how often do you change it?
If so, what filter media are you using in it and how often do you change it?
S
simm
Guest
yea I have it all. Protein Skimmer plus 2 emperor 400's. Tanks been up and running 7 months now with no problem. Up until this week my cole tang kicked the bucket due to ick which iam now treating for. I also used RO water. The tank cycled for 2 months with a few little fish. It has all been doing great until now.
frankl15207
Member
Do you make your own RO water? Do you have a TDS meter to make sure the water is near pure?
S
simm
Guest
I use RO water our fish store has. They test it and say "its pure". Ammonia is ok nitites are low. PH I buffed up to 8.2. Salinity is .22. Temp is 80. Im treating for ick right now so I guess when I get through Ill do a water change.
richard rendos
Active Member
Have you been doing regular water changes since it cycled, or did you just start doing them since the fish died? Nitrates build up over time, so they could have been building over the last 7 months unchecked.
S
simm
Guest
I generaly do 10-15 gallon change every month. I think I may have been over feeding a little as well.
broomer5
Active Member
simm,
You stated
Ammonia is ok nitites are low
Both of these values should be zero.
Anything other than zero is cause for concern, and is a sure sign that the bioload is heavier than the biofiltration can safely handle.
Overfeeding as you mentioned could very well be the cause of your woes.
Doing a 20 gallon water change on a 100 gallon tank ( assuming 100 gallons of actual water ) would only reduce your nitrates by 20% at best. This is if no other nitrates are being produced in the tank, and no other nitrates are introduced into the tank during the water change.
Normally - a long series of water changes are required to lower any parameter.
More frequent small water changes will take longer - but may be less stressful to the fish.
Fewer larger water changes will take less time -but may freak out the tank critters, or upset the natural balance of the tank.
You stated
Ammonia is ok nitites are low
Both of these values should be zero.
Anything other than zero is cause for concern, and is a sure sign that the bioload is heavier than the biofiltration can safely handle.
Overfeeding as you mentioned could very well be the cause of your woes.
Doing a 20 gallon water change on a 100 gallon tank ( assuming 100 gallons of actual water ) would only reduce your nitrates by 20% at best. This is if no other nitrates are being produced in the tank, and no other nitrates are introduced into the tank during the water change.
Normally - a long series of water changes are required to lower any parameter.
More frequent small water changes will take longer - but may be less stressful to the fish.
Fewer larger water changes will take less time -but may freak out the tank critters, or upset the natural balance of the tank.
S
simm
Guest
Ok let me rephrase myself. Ammonia (if Iam reading my test's right is about .25 So I could get that down more.) I also have the ammonia alert in my tank and it is showing safe. If these even work. Nitrites are 0. Color on my water test kit chart is a light bluish color. So should I do little water changes to get it down or one big one?
donkeykong
Member
Ammonia should be at 0. you need to do another 20-25% water change to get that down. Have you been checking the levels regularly and did it just spike. If it just spkied out of nowhere then there may be something dead in your tank. Snail, crab, or something else that is fouling up your water
S
simm
Guest
Thanks. Ill do that tonight and yes I did find a few feeder fish dead. I believe I may have fed my lion and he did not see the feeder's and they hid in some rock until they died. I check water levels atleast 3 times a week. My protein skimmer is skimming lots out.
donkeykong
Member
Feeders may have caused a spike. Go with the water change and just keep an eye on everything. Let us know how it goes
S
simm
Guest
I'll do. Thanks for the info!
S
simm
Guest
Did a change last night. Did drop Nitrates. HOWEVER stupid me over looked the 3 dead snails in my tank! 