Hi guys,
I have a 46 gal. Aquarium and I bought a Mardel 5 in 1 Test. I have been testing my aquarium probably like 4 days a week since it has been up and running. I allowed it to cycle for 8 weeks before i put my fish in, and we are now in week 16. I have noticed that my Nitrates and Nitrites have been progressively going up. I have been doing 25% water changes, weekly.. That seems to help, but then in a couple days I am right back where I started. My Nirate leve is between 20-40 so they aren't that bad yet.. However my Nitrite level is a shade somewhere between 5.0-10.0 which according to the test is toxic.. I bought an AquarClear Filter that was appropriate for the size of my thank and I also have an UGF. Any suggestions???
The Stock:
3 X Tiger Barb
3 X Zebra Danios
2 X Dalmatian Molly
5 X Neon Tetras
2 X Red Platys
3 X Sunset Platys
3 X Neon Serpae Tetra
2 X Pepper Cory Catfish
1 X Pleco
2 X Golden Snail
There are a couple things I think are causing this, but I don't know because I am a noob..
1.UGF.. I was reading a thread earlier and I haven't' cleaned out under it, so maybe there is some gunk under there that is affecting the nitrites/nitrates?
2. Their food. I bought some TetraMin, Tropical Crisps which they seem to bite the center out of and the rest of the flake floats to the bottom. I do have some snails and corys though so maybe that isn't a problem.
3. Maybe the tank is overstocked, or maybe I need another Filter?
I DUNNO PLEASE HELP!!!!!
I have a 46 gal. Aquarium and I bought a Mardel 5 in 1 Test. I have been testing my aquarium probably like 4 days a week since it has been up and running. I allowed it to cycle for 8 weeks before i put my fish in, and we are now in week 16. I have noticed that my Nitrates and Nitrites have been progressively going up. I have been doing 25% water changes, weekly.. That seems to help, but then in a couple days I am right back where I started. My Nirate leve is between 20-40 so they aren't that bad yet.. However my Nitrite level is a shade somewhere between 5.0-10.0 which according to the test is toxic.. I bought an AquarClear Filter that was appropriate for the size of my thank and I also have an UGF. Any suggestions???
The Stock:
3 X Tiger Barb
3 X Zebra Danios
2 X Dalmatian Molly
5 X Neon Tetras
2 X Red Platys
3 X Sunset Platys
3 X Neon Serpae Tetra
2 X Pepper Cory Catfish
1 X Pleco
2 X Golden Snail
There are a couple things I think are causing this, but I don't know because I am a noob..
1.UGF.. I was reading a thread earlier and I haven't' cleaned out under it, so maybe there is some gunk under there that is affecting the nitrites/nitrates?
2. Their food. I bought some TetraMin, Tropical Crisps which they seem to bite the center out of and the rest of the flake floats to the bottom. I do have some snails and corys though so maybe that isn't a problem.
3. Maybe the tank is overstocked, or maybe I need another Filter?
I DUNNO PLEASE HELP!!!!!