Nitrates at 20

[cadavis7]

Help!! My nitrates are at 20 today. 1/3 water change last week at they were at 0. Tank size is 125g. I added 2 clowns a week ago. Any ideas? What should I do?

 

[murph]

Maybe a snail or something died unnoticed. HOw old is the tank.

 

[bigarn]

20 isn't a bad nitrate reading .... just be sure it doesn't spike and get really high.

 

[joker_ca]

fish can tolerate a higher level of up to 60ppm, but if you have corals then your nitrates is to high

 

[cartman101]

your freaking out cause your trates are at 20!

I was celebrating the day when i got my trates to 20!

 

[bunnyl99]

could a starfish dying in the tank unnoticed cause the nitrates to go up?

 

[cadavis7]

bump

 

[brycewood]

Yes a starfish dying could cause it. Anything that would releace nitrogen compounds. Decaying organic material is generally the cause, and if I recall it can cause your phosphates to climb as well.

 

[bunnyl99]

my nitrates went up to 70. I'm trying a product called AmQuel. Has anyone heard of it, if so, how long till my nitrates are 0?

 

[bigarn]

AmQuel will "lock" ammonia I believe. Do a large water change and run carbon .... check the nitrates again and if they're still high repeat the procedure.

 

[bunnyl99]

Just did a 1/3 water change 2 weeks ago. Do another one?

 

[bigarn]

If the nitrates are still high, yes.