cant get my NO3 down
- Thread starter jamesw
- Start date
I had the same problem.
My nitrAtes were way up there.
The solution I came up with was water changes each day.
Every day for 2 weeks I performed a water change.
This dropped the nitrAtes down to 20 ppm.
My water changes were 10%.
If you don't have 2 weeks, up the w/c and shorten the timeline.
Trick was to be persistant and test each day.
My nitrAtes were way up there.
The solution I came up with was water changes each day.
Every day for 2 weeks I performed a water change.
This dropped the nitrAtes down to 20 ppm.
My water changes were 10%.
If you don't have 2 weeks, up the w/c and shorten the timeline.
Trick was to be persistant and test each day.
Last edited:
I've never done a 100% PWC and my nitrates have never built up. I do 50% weekly, and the fish are very happy. And in my non-planted tanks, my nitrates never get above 30ppm. Also, gravel vac weekly is very important, unless you are planted. In a planted tank, only gravel vac areas that are not planted, and don't disturb the roots of plants in planted areas. The gunk is food for the plants.
The actual numbers can vary from tank to tank depending on a number of variables such as live plants, stocking levels, feeding schedule..... Pure's post is an excellent example of how the buildup occurs and gives an actual case to explain it.
For your own tank, you're far better off buying a test kit.
For your own tank, you're far better off buying a test kit.