nitrate level high..help
- Thread starter corona877
- Start date
hammerhed7
Active Member
is the tank reef or fish only? What brand test kit are you using and how old is it? Sometimes an old or cheap test kit can give false readings. most importantly how are the occupants of the tank doing?
corona877
New Member
my tank is about 6 weeks old i have some corals in it and then fish.. My yellow tang looks like he has white dots on him and to test the water i have little packets i dont know what the test kit is called and as far as lighting i only have what came with my tank im still waiting for my protein skimmer and my other lights
lexluethar
Active Member
Well your nitrates are high because you added fish too soon to your tank. Your fish are probably unhealthy (and have ick) because you didn't properly introduce the fish (cycle first and QT).
My suggestion would be...
Buy liquid test kits, right now you need to be measuring Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrates. Test all and post back results. In order to lower nitrates you need to do water changes (i think the source is the amount of fish you've introduced in a short period of time), probably 15% every day or so until your nitrates are around 15.
For your sick fish, you should probably get another small tank, buy some ick medication, use the salt water from your old tank (and when doing changes do small changes in this small medicated tank too) and put it in the small tank. Medicate those fish if you are sure they have ick.
That is a start for you. YOu can either do this (or something similar, you need to reduce those nitrates and you need to medicate those fish), or take everything back and start correctly.
My suggestion would be...
Buy liquid test kits, right now you need to be measuring Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrates. Test all and post back results. In order to lower nitrates you need to do water changes (i think the source is the amount of fish you've introduced in a short period of time), probably 15% every day or so until your nitrates are around 15.
For your sick fish, you should probably get another small tank, buy some ick medication, use the salt water from your old tank (and when doing changes do small changes in this small medicated tank too) and put it in the small tank. Medicate those fish if you are sure they have ick.
That is a start for you. YOu can either do this (or something similar, you need to reduce those nitrates and you need to medicate those fish), or take everything back and start correctly.