High Nitrites & Nitrates

[economic]

I have a small tank set up being 5gallons.
I did my water tests last night and both nitrites and nitrates were on the last color scale for both. (According to the instuction manual, both highly toxic and a water change should be done immediately)
I proceeded with a partial water change of 5 litres. I use a high quality filtered water. It contains no chlorines, or any other trace elements. It simply has to be the best on the market. Anyway... after doing my water change, I decided to test the water again.
Nitrites had fallen on the color chart (1 level), yet nitrates did not move. Is there something I am missing when I do my water change?
I use some other additives to ensure the water quality is at its optimum. I use a de chlorinator, sera bio amovec, another chemical used for new water changes (and that also reduces nitrites and nitrates) and some reef complete. I use these in very small quantities, probably a drop of each, being it is only 5 litres.
Should my water change be a larger amount?
I only did a water change about a week before and that was 50%. Is my filter not filtering properly? My fish seem to be swimming fine and they feed like sharks (God love them).
Regards,
Economic.

 

[mr . salty]

Couple Questions first,,,How old is this tank,and what and how many fish are in it??? Also,a tank that small is very trickey(almost impossible) to keep fish in at all.The water will,and does,become toxic very quickly...That is why larger tanks are better.Especially for beginers.

 

[economic]

After doing a 5 litre water change the other night withought much change in the water quality, I decided last night to do approx. 50% water change.
I tested the water prior to a change and the nitrites and nitrates were high, ammonia was at the lowest level.
I also tested the water quality from the purified water that I buy. Let me say, it has to be the best filtered water on the market. It is called "Nobles, Ultra Pure Water". Your probably thinking why i buy this water, though with such a small tank, 10 litres will give me nearly a 50% water change.
To conclude, a 50% water change reduced nitrates significantly and nitrites were at an exceptable level. Fact of the matter is that with this small tank, water changes will probably occur almost weekly.
I am not happy with the person who sold me the tank and told me that keeping these saltwater fish in such a small tank will be ok. The fact that he also said that a water change will only need to be done once a month also is frustrating, because I specifically pointed out to him, I wanted low maintenance. So far this week I changed the water twice.
Mr Salty:
Just to answer your questions...
The tank would be about a month old with 2 perculia clowns in it. They are extremely tiny. "Apparently" these clowns have been in a similar size tank at the aquarium store and that they were well established. So far everything is ok.
The fact that you said the water becomes toxic very quickly is an interesting point because, the aquarium store told me that with only 2 fish in the water, the water quality should not deteriorate quickly. In other words, should be able to maintain the water for about a month with only freshwater top offs.
Just for my piece of mind, How often do you water change your tank? what size tank is it? what has been the longest period you have neglected your tank?
jwtrojan44:
Yes I only still have 2 perculia clowns in it. They are feeding well and swimming normal. They do seem to go to the top of the tank once in a while either for 1) air or 2) nothing better to do.
Will this 55 gal tank will require less maintenance than I currently have at the moment? With such a big tank, I would need to move from filtered water I buy at the shop to tap water. Everywhere I read the water quality from the tap is poor. I am not sure how much a good water purifier costs or a reverse osmosis unit, but it does start to take this hobby to a new level in terms of expenses.
I will look out for a tank and hopefully I will have one within the month.
Regards,
Economic.
Thank your for the top for reading my problems and helping with any kind of solution.

 

[playtime]

I would be very upset with the lfs person who sold you that size aquarium telling you it was fine for saltwater. obviously he know's nothing about saltwater tanks. One suggestion about your water might be to take it to your lfs and ask them if they would test it for you. I know from experience that the tests can go bad and give you a false reading. I would do water changes daily until it drops if that is the actual reading. I do water changes monthly. I clean the tanks weekly ( clean the algea off the glass, etc.) Mr SALTY is one of the lucky ones, he doesn't have to do water changes at all. And, hasn't in quite a while. Lucky dog.... I would with out a doubt upgrad to a larger tank as soon as possible.
Playtime

 

[rmdavis]

a couple things... first Economic I have a suggestion/ idea you might want to check on for your water... I buy my water from a local bottled water distributor ((the kind that fill the water coolers at businesses and such as that... and pay like .39 cents a gallon that is not that bad.. plus with mine if I wanted to then I could get a cooler and get 100 gallons a month free every month and what didn't use in aquarium could drink... just something you might want to check on...
also Mr. Salty what size aquarium do you have that you don't have to do water changes??
thanks
Robert